Study Guide--Second Test--Fall, 02

Chapter 2

What are the differences between naturalistic and spiritualistic explanations for why people engage in crime? What do physiognomists and phrenologists seek as an explanation of crime? What is Social Darwinism and how did it and how does it impact people's attitudes toward people who are not like "us?" Did Goring's results support Lombroso's natural born killer argument? Analyze Hooten's analysis. Did the Gluecks find evidence that delinquents have a different body type than non-delinquents? Why did Sutherland abhor biological explanations of crime? What do Wilson and Herrnstein argue about the relationship between low IQ scores and criminality? Analyze the argument that low IQ is a cause of crime. Is there a relationship between race and IQ and does this supposed relationship explain why African-Americans are disproportionately arrested for violent index crimes? What are the problems associated with using the concept of race? What does the research on twins and adopted children show in relation to the argument that criminal tendencies may be inherited? Are people with the XYY chromosome more likely to be criminal? Could people be prone to heroin addiction and does the research suggest that there might be a genetic component to alcoholism? What arguments are used to support the theory that low MAO may lead to higher rates of crime? Does the research support the conclusions that PMS or elevated levels of testosterone may be related to criminality?

Chapter 3

Explain the statement that psychological theories of crime are deterministic. Using psychological theories on crime analyze the classical school of criminology's assumption that all behaviors are reasoned and rational. At what Freudian stage are criminal tendencies supposedly developed? Which psychic phenomenon may be negatively impacted by abuse and neglect? What is the difference between criminal and antisocial behavior? How would Freud explain a criminal who shows no remorse? Why does someone become criminal according to Freud? Why isn't psychoanalysis used to treat juvenile delinquents? Define transference. Thoroughly critique psychoanalytical theories of crime. According to learning theory what causes antisocial behavior? Why is criminal justice punishment an ineffective deterrent? How could the principles of behaviorism be used to control people from dissenting? Use cognitive learning theory to critique behaviorism. From an operant conditioning perspective how could you raise "the perfect child?" According to rational choice/reasoning theories of crime why do people commit crime? How do their childhood experiences come into play? Assess whether there is empirical support for rational theories of crime causation. According to Eysenck's personality theory why do some people become criminals and not others? Are criminals sociopaths? If you find using this study guide as boring are you more likely to be a criminal? Assess psychopathological and personality theories of crime. Is child abuse associated with criminality? Define the different ego defense mechanisms. Define the different terms associated with rational choice and constitutional-learning theories. Give examples of a deterministic, quasi-deterministic, and volitional theory. Define the medicalization of criminal tendencies. Which theory do you find most consistent with your beliefs about why people engage in crime? Defend your answer.

Chapter 5 (the material on social control theory)

Which theory assumes that people if let to their own devices would engage in criminal behavior? Not everyone who experiences poverty and discrimination engage in crime--why? Describe containment theory. Define social bond. Describe the four elements of Hirschi's control theory. Why did Hirschi dismiss direct parental controls? Do children and adolescents mimic their parents? What is the critical concern when one argues that attachment to peers may prevent criminal behavior? Discuss Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime? Is it different from the classical school of criminology? How do these fellows want you to raise your children? What is low self-control? What six characteristics do people with low self-control exhibit? According to social control theory, why do males have higher rates of self-reported delinquency? Describe the problems associated with social control theory. How can it be argued that social control theory is a tautology?