Soc 047 - Sociology of Criminology » Spring 2021 » Rational Choice Theory Quiz

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Question #1
The faster punishment is applied, and the more closely it is linked to the crime, the more likely it will serve as a deterrent.
A.   TRUE
B.   FALSE
Question #2
To deter people from committing more serious offenses, Beccaria believed punishment should be as severe as possible regardless of the offense.
A.   FALSE
B.   TRUE
Question #3
Evaluations of incarceration strategies reveal that their impact may be less than expected. Why might incarceration not work?
A.   ​because most criminal offenses are committed by old offenders, who are unlikely to be sent to prison for a single felony conviction
B.   because prison exposes young, impressionable offenders to higher-risk, more experienced inmates who can influence their lifestyle and shape their attitudes
C.   ​because incarcerated criminals are too young
D.   ​because not enough offenders are being incarcerated
Question #4
According to __________, punishment has the potential to discourage all individuals in the population from committing crime.
A.   ​general deterrence
B.   ​diffusion of benefits
C.   specific deterrence
D.   ​crime displacement
Question #5
________ argues that punishing an offender will prevent that offender from committing the same crime again.
A.   ​General deterrence
B.   ​Punishment logic
C.   Specific deterrence
D.   ​Classical punishment
Question #6
Specific deterrence is aimed at deterring all potential offenders from committing crime.
A.   FALSE
B.   TRUE
Question #7
Criminologists argue that three-strikes policies will not work because:
A.   most offenders are too young.​
B.   ​the punishment is not certain.
C.   ​the punishments are still too lenient.
D.   ​current sentences for violent crimes are already too severe.
Question #8
According to rational choice theory, why might a criminal decide not to commit crime?
A.   ​The criminal perceives that crime is too risky.
B.   The criminal has developed a conscience as he or she matured.
C.   ​The criminal has legitimate means to achieve financial success and does not need to commit crime.
D.   ​The criminal has learned that crime is only one of many solutions to their personal problems.
Question #9
According to deterrence theory, if the probability of arrest, conviction, and sanctioning could be increased, crime rates should:
A.   ​increase.
B.   remain stable.
C.   ​decline.
D.   ​initially spike, then decline.

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