Test Bank

Chapter 6: Biological and Psychological Theories

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following types of explanations is the classical school known to have rejected?

a. demonological

b. ecological

c. economical

d. deterrent

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Introduction
Difficulty Level: Easy

2. The use of empirical (quantitative) or scientific investigation for the improvement of society is most characteristic of ______.

a. classicalism

b. demonology

c. Marxism

d. positivism

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Positivist Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy

3. The basic premises of positivism include all of the following except ______.

a. quantification

b. neutrality

c. determinism

d. speculation

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Positivist Theory
Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Positivist criminology is largely centered on ______.

a. socialism

b. speculation

c. empirical research

d. theological doctrine

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Positivist Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy

5. In which of the following philosophies did positivists believe?

a. deterrence

b. incapacitation

c. rehabilitation

d. retribution

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Positivist Theory
Difficulty Level: Easy

6. All of the following were identified as elements of the positivistic approach EXCEPT ______.

a. the application of the scientific method

b. discovery and diagnoses of pathology that underlies the criminal’s actions

c. punishment, either jail or prison

d. treatment

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Positivist Theory
Difficulty Level: Medium

7. Which of the following refers to the study of the size and shape of the skull to determine a person’s intelligence and personality?

a. physiognomy

b. palmistry

c. atavism

d. phrenology

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism
Difficulty Level: Medium

8. Which of the following has been used to predict human behavior by studying the alignment of the stars?

a. phrenology

b. physiognomy

c. palmistry

d. astrology

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism
Difficulty Level: Medium

9. Which of the following involves measuring facial and other characteristics as indicative of human personality?

a. phrenology

b. physiognomy

c. palmistry

d. astrology

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism
Difficulty Level: Medium

10. Which of the following seeks to analyze a person’s character and future?

a. phrenology

b. physiognomy

c. palmistry

d. astrology

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism
Difficulty Level: Medium

11. The most important figure in biological positivism was ______.

a. Cesare Lombroso

b. William Sheldon

c. Cesare Beccaria

d. Robert Dugsdale

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso
Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Enrico Ferri’s saturation theory of crime refers to the idea that ______.

a. eventually society will need to revert to the practice of exile to handle its criminal population

b. crime expands to fit the amount of control machinery assigned to it

c. society will not let the crime rate exceed beyond a certain point

d. natural forces prevent the crime rate from exceeding a certain rate within society

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso
Difficulty Level: Easy

13. A number of physical characteristics, including heavy jaw and cheekbones, eye defects, large or small ears, and a strange shaped nose are indicative of ______.

a. physical stigmata

b. somatotype

c. physiognomy

d. XYY syndrome

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. The theory that criminals are born as such, and that they are “throwbacks” to an earlier and more primitive evolutionary period, is known as ______.

a. atavism

b. eugenics

c. neobiological positivism

d. somatotype theory

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. In biological positivism, the idea that “survival of the fittest” is applicable to human society is known as ______.

a. every man for himself

b. the r/K continuum theory

c. social Darwinism

d. survival theory

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

16. All of the following are considered major themes/concepts of biological positivism except ______.

a. mental deficiency

b. physical inferiority

c. extroversion

d. feeblemindedness

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. Cesare Lombroso was one of the first criminologists to address ______.

a. women and crime

b. juveniles and crime

c. deterrent philosophy

d. classicism and crime

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. Which of the following statements best describes Lombroso and Ferrero’s description of female offenders?

a. Women are considered to be superior to men.

b. Women were less passive aggressive.

c. Women who commit crime are seen as more masculine.

d. Women are prone to more crime.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Medium

19. All of the following types of criminals were proposed by Ferri except the______ type.

a. lifetime

b. born

c. occasional

d. insane

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. Charles Goring, in his study on English convicts, found all of the following to be true except that ______.

a. criminals were generally shorter

b. criminals usually weighed less

c. criminals were considered to be mentally defective

d. criminals were more likely to come from the working class

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Feeblemindedness: Charles Goring

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. Goring’s belief that criminals were mentally defective is referred to as ______.

a. atavism

b. psychometry

c. feeblemindedness

d. inferiority

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Feeblemindedness: Charles Goring

Difficulty Level: Easy

22. In his book The Jukes, author Robert Dugsdale concluded that crime is ______.

a. attributable to feeble-mindedness

b. hereditary

c. linked to physical inferiority

d. rooted in atavism

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Heredity: The Jukes and Kallikaks

Difficulty Level: Easy

23. The movement to control degenerates through sterilization, euthanasia, and cutbacks in welfare is known as the ______.

a. Goddard approach

b. law of criminal saturation

c. eugenics movement

d. social Darwinist movement

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Heredity: The Jukes and Kallikaks

Difficulty Level: Easy

24. Which theorist is known for suggesting that physical inferiority is the cause of criminality?

a. Charles Goring

b. Ernest Hooton

c. Henry Goddard

d. Robert Dugsdale

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Physical Inferiority: Earnest Hooton

Difficulty Level: Easy

25. All of the following are characteristics of Earnest Hooton’s damned except ______.

a. tattooing

b. body hair

c. curly hair

d. thin lips

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Physical Inferiority: Earnest Hooton

Difficulty Level: Medium

26. Earnest Hooton viewed ______ as a solution to his predicted decline in civilization.

a. reproduction

b. mixed breeding

c. politics

d. eugenics

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Physical Inferiority: Earnest Hooton

Difficulty Level: Easy

27. Which somatotype did Sheldon (1940) propose as linked to criminal behavior?

a. ectomorph

b. mesomorph

c. mendomorph

d. endomorph

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Body Types

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. ______ have soft, round, plump physiques and tend to be relaxed, easygoing, and extroverted.

a. Ectomorphs

b. Mesomorphs

c. Mendomorphs

d. Endomorphs

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Body Types

Difficulty Level: Easy

29. ______ are thin, fragile of form, introverted, sensitive, and subject to worrying.

a. Ectomorphs

b. Mesomorphs

c. Mendomorphs

d. Endomorphs

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Body Types

Difficulty Level: Easy

30. All of the following problems associated with early biological theories are true except ______.

a. most studies reflect the dualistic fallacy

b. not all biological differences are inherited

c. most analyses are plagued by weak operationalization

d. many of these studies are based on large samples

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. Social Darwinism borrowed portions from the ______ theory?

a. ecological

b. evolutionary

c. deterrence

d. demonological

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Medium

32. The tendency to assume the mutual exclusivity of criminals (defined as prisoners) and noncriminals (defined as nonprisoners) is known as ______.

a. the Durham decision

b. the dualistic fallacy

c. monozygotic concordance

d. psychometry

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Easy

33. The most common form of treatment for brain disorders in the contemporary United States is ______.

a. drug treatment

b. the frontal lobotomy

c. psychometry

d. psychotherapy

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Easy

34. If a person had a medical procedure in the 1940s to alter his or her brain tissue to alter his/her behavior, this would be referred to as ______.

a. phrenology

b. psychometry

c. psychosurgery

d. physiognomy

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Easy

35. Which of the following was used on a selective basis with consenting patients after other treatments were exhausted?

a. psychometry

b. psychosurgery

c. lobotomy

d. cingulotomy

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Medium

36. “Twin studies” are performed to ______.

a. check the accuracy of the original study through duplication

b. investigate the claim that twins are less likely to commit crime than the general population

c. investigate the claim that twins are more likely to commit crime than only children

d. investigate the extent of influence that environmental and genetic factors have on crime

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Twin Studies

Difficulty Level: Easy

37. The “XYY syndrome” refers to the belief that men with an extra “Y” chromosome are ______.

a. immune to criminogenic influences

b. more likely to go into the field of law enforcement

c. predisposed to involvement in property crimes such as vandalism and theft

d. predisposed to violent and aggressive behavior

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: XYY Syndrome

Difficulty Level: Easy

38. Which of the following defenses emerged in the early 1980s when two women had their murder charges reduced to manslaughter?

a. insanity

b. hypoglycemia

c. PMS

d. self-defense

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Other Biological Factors

Difficulty Level: Medium

39. Which of the following theories claims that some males have been naturally selected to make lower parental investment than women by seeking numerous partners?

a. ecological

b. cheater

c. dualistic fallacy

d. economy

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Other Biological Factors

Difficulty Level: Medium

40. Biological mechanisms that affect gene expression are referred to as ______.

a. eugenics

b. epigenetics

c. gene-environment interactions

d. somatotypes

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Behavioral Genetics

Difficulty Level: Easy

41. ______ is the single most important trait in distinguishing violence in individuals.

a. Gender

b. Age

c. Education

d. Socioeconomic status

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Behavioral Genetics

Difficulty Level: Easy

42. While our more primitive brain networks are inherited at birth, higher development depends on environmental developments after birth. Which field of study seeks to understand this brain development?

a. evolutionary psychology

b. behavioral genetics

c. psychological theories

d. neurosciences

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Neurosciences

Difficulty Level: Easy

43. According to Freudian theory, which of the following is the socialized part of the personality, developed to function and gain acceptance in human society?

a. id

b. ego

c. superego

d. unconsciousness

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Freudian Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

44. The field that seeks to measure psychological and mental differences between criminals and noncriminals is known as ______.

a. astrology

b. psychometry

c. palmistry

d. psychology

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Psychometry

Difficulty Level: Easy

45. Which of the following approaches to child-rearing attempts to encourage positive behavior through the application of pleasure and pain?

a. Social Darwinism

b. social learning theory

c. behavioral modification

d. psychosurgery

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Extroverts Versus Introverts: Hans Eysenck

Difficulty Level: Medium

46. Which of the following theorists claims that the extroverted (outgoing) personality is more delinquent or criminal than the introverted (inhibited) personality?

a. Albert Bandura

b. Hans Eysenck

c. Goddard

d. Sigmund Freud

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Extroverts Versus Introverts: Hans Eysenck

Difficulty Level: Medium

47. The idea that we learn by observing others is attributable to ______.

a. Albert Bandura

b. B.F. Skinner

c. Hans Eysenck

d. Sigmund Freud

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Social Learning Theory: Albert Bandura

Difficulty Level: Easy

48. After observing other children fighting on the playground, a young boy begins to pick a fight with one of his classmates. This scenario is most closely an example of ______.

a. feeblemindedness

b. social learning theory

c. operant conditioning

d. criminal personality

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Social Learning Theory: Albert Bandura

Difficulty Level: Medium

49. Which of the following theorists suggested the existence of a “criminal personality?”

a. Albert Bandura

b. Hans Eysenck and B.F. Skinner

c. Samuel Yochelson and Stanton Samenow

d. Sigmund Freud

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Criminal Personality: Samuel Yochelson and Stanton Samenow

Difficulty Level: Medium

True / False

1. Positivistic theory is often criticized as being philosophical and speculative, and lacking an empirical orientation.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Positivist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Positivism is scientific or quantitative approach to criminology that searches for pathology, uses the scientific method, and suggests therapy.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Positivist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Astrology had been used to predict human behavior by studying the alignment of the stars.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. The study of facial features and other body characteristics to gain sight into human personality is referred to as physiognomy.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Phrenology attempted to determine intelligence and personality on the basis of the size and shape of the skull and posited that certain areas of the brain corresponded to various psychological and intellectual characteristics.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Precursors of Positivism

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. Lombroso was the most influential figure in biological positivism.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. The belief that criminals represent genetic “throwbacks to the ape” or earlier, more primitive humanity is referred to as palmistry.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. Biological positivism theories that propose that crime is caused by inherited genetic and other biological causes.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. Social Darwinism claimed that there is a survival of the fittest among human beings and social institutions.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Lombroso’s theory that criminals could be denoted on the basis of their facial appearance is referred to as phrenology.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. In Charles Goring’s famous study in The English Convict, the author disputes the connection between heredity and crime.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Feeblemindedness: Charles Goring

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Henry Goddard was the first to use the term moron.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Heredity: The Jukes and Kallikaks

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. Eugenics is also referred to as scientific breeding.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Heredity: The Jukes and Kallikaks

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. Body types as described by Sheldon—endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs—are referred to as somatotypes.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Body Types

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. Not all biological differences are inherited as many may be owing to the prenatal environment, injury, and inadequate diet.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Easy

16. The nature versus nurture debate questions whether criminality is explained by one’s environment (nature) or genetics (nurture).

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: More Recent Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Easy

17. The nature versus nurture controversy an attempt to examine whether crime is inherited or learned.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. The surgical removal of the frontal lobes of the brain is referred to as a lobotomy.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Easy

19. Behaviors that are linked to crime have also been found to be rooted in genetics.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Adoption Studies

Difficulty Level: Easy

20. Hyperactivity, conduct disorder, and ADHD all have genetic ties.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Adoption Studies

Difficulty Level: Easy

21. Similar behavior in identical twins is known as monozygotic concordance.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: XYY Syndrome

Difficulty Level: Easy

22. Variables such as diet, environmental pollution, endocrine imbalance, and allergies have been claimed to have criminogenic influence.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Other Biological Factors

Difficulty Level: Easy

23. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) also has been claimed to be linked to impaired brain function and violent crime.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Other Biological Factors

Difficulty Level: Easy

24. Cortisol has also been implicated in criminal behavior.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Other Biological Factors

Difficulty Level: Easy

25. There is a strong relationship between mental disorders and crime and delinquency.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

26. Some researchers argue that human females may have evolved superior inhibitory capabilities in the aggression domain.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

27. The superego was identified by Freud as the mediator, or “referee,” which works to balance the desires of the id and the controls of the ego.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Freudian Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. Psychometry refers to a procedure in which parts of the frontal lobes of the brain are destroyed to alter behavior.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Psychometry

Difficulty Level: Easy

29. Behavioral modification attempts to encourage positive behavior through the application of pleasure and pain.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Extroverts Versus Introverts: Hans Eysenck

Difficulty Level: Easy

30. Modern advocates of the relationship between IQ and delinquency believe that one’s IQ is both inherited and acquired over time.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intelligence and Crime

Difficulty Level: Easy

31. According to some scholars, IQ is a better predictor of delinquency that is the mother’s social class among Caucasian boys.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intelligence and Crime

Difficulty Level: Easy

32. The earliest insanity ruling is commonly referred to as the right/wrong test.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Psychopath

Difficulty Level: Easy

33. Psychopath, sociopath, and antisocial personality are all terms referring to the same phenomenon—the inadequately socialized personality.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Psychopath

Difficulty Level: Easy

34. A psychopath develops the same range of emotions as others, but they experience those emotions at a much greater level.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Psychopath

Difficulty Level: Easy

35. The psychopath refers to an inadequately socialized personality.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Psychopath

Difficulty Level: Easy

Short Answer

1. Define positivism.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Positivist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. What are the three steps in the positivistic approach to crime?

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Positivist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

3. Describe the theory of atavism.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Identify the four types of criminals proposed by Ferri.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biological Positivism: Cesare Lombroso

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Briefly describe what Robert Dugsdale concluded from his study of the “Jukes.”

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Heredity: The Jukes and Kallikaks

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. What is the dualistic fallacy?

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Identify one weakness to the early biological theories of crime.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. Most of the claims of early biological theorists have been refuted; still, these theories did make some important contributions to the field of criminology. Identify these contributions.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.2: Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Critique of Early Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Medium

9. What are prefrontal lobotomies?

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Brain Disorders

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Why are twin and adoption studies used in studies of criminality?

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Twin Studies

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. According to Freudian theory, what is the role of the ego?

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.4: Summarize the influence of the individual human mind, personality, and behavior on crime as presented by psychological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Freudian Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Compare and contrast the biological and psychological approaches to criminology.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.5: Identify the connection between biological and psychological theories and crime policy.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: The Theory–Policy Connection

Difficulty Level: Medium

13. Explain the theory–policy connection as it relates to positivism.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.5: Identify the connection between biological and psychological theories and crime policy.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Theory–Policy Connection

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. How has positivism contributed to criminology as a field? In responding, you might consider how positivism differs from prior approaches to the study of crime.

The basic premises of positivism are measurement (quantification), objectivity (neutrality), and causality (determinism). Positivism, with its emphasis on scientific investigation, also helped sponsor a reform orientation. Rehabilitation and reformation replaced punishment as the primary motive of corrections. In fact, the very terminology changed from penology to corrections. Its emphasis on therapy and treatment and scientific evaluation were positive developments.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.1: Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Positivist Theory

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Discuss the nature versus nurture debate. Compare and contrast the two different sides of the discussion.

KEY: Learning Objective: 6.3: Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.

REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: More Recent Biological Theories

Difficulty Level: Hard

3. Compare and contrast early biological theories of crime with their contemporary counterparts. How are these theories alike, and how do they differ?

KEY: Learning Objective: Various

REF: Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Various

Difficulty Level: Hard