Criminal Justice- Chapter 3 Exam Questions and
Answers
1. Theory correct answer: An assumption, or set of assumptions, that attempts to explain why or
how things are related to each other. A theory of crime attempts to explain why or how a certain thing
(or things) is related to criminal behavior.
2. Criminology theory correct answer: The explanation of criminal behavior, as well as the
behavior of police, attorneys, prosecutors, judges, corrections, victims, other actors in the process.
Failure to understand these criminological theories leads to correct answer:
Problems that may undermine the success of criminal justice
policies Intrusion in people's lives without good reason
3. Classical Theory correct answer: One of the earliest secular approaches to explaining the causes
of crime was classical
theory.
Based on the assumption that people exercise free will and are thus completely responsible for their
actions Criminal behavior is motivated by a hedonistic rationality, in which actors weigh the potential
pleasure of an action against the possible pain associated with it.
4. Cesare Becarria correct answer: In 1764, criminologist Cesare Beccaria wrote An Essay on
Crimes and Punishments, which
set forth most of classical criminological theory.
He argued that the only justified rationale for laws and punishments was the principle of utility.
Beccaria believed the basis of society, as well as the origin of punishments and the right to punish, is the
social contract.
5. Utility correct answer: the principle that a policy should provide "the greatest happiness shared by
the greatest number"
6. Social contract correct answer: An imaginary agreement to sacrifice the minimum amount of
liberty to prevent anarchy and
chaos
7. Deterrence correct answer: The only legitimate purpose of punishment is deterrence,
both special and general. Special or specific deterrence correct answer: the prevention of
individuals from committing crime again by punishing them
General deterrence correct answer: the prevention of people in general or society at large from engaging
in crime by punishing specific individuals and making examples of them
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, 8. Addition to Classical Theory correct answer: In addition to a social contract and ettective
punishment, Beccaria also
believed the best way to prevent or deter crime was to correct answer:
-Enact laws that are clear, simple, and unbiased, and that reflect the consensus of the population
-Educate the public
-Eliminate corruption from the administration of justice
-Reward virtue
9. Drawbacks- Classical correct answer: Not all
ottenders are alike. Juveniles are treated the same
as adults.
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15
Answers
1. Theory correct answer: An assumption, or set of assumptions, that attempts to explain why or
how things are related to each other. A theory of crime attempts to explain why or how a certain thing
(or things) is related to criminal behavior.
2. Criminology theory correct answer: The explanation of criminal behavior, as well as the
behavior of police, attorneys, prosecutors, judges, corrections, victims, other actors in the process.
Failure to understand these criminological theories leads to correct answer:
Problems that may undermine the success of criminal justice
policies Intrusion in people's lives without good reason
3. Classical Theory correct answer: One of the earliest secular approaches to explaining the causes
of crime was classical
theory.
Based on the assumption that people exercise free will and are thus completely responsible for their
actions Criminal behavior is motivated by a hedonistic rationality, in which actors weigh the potential
pleasure of an action against the possible pain associated with it.
4. Cesare Becarria correct answer: In 1764, criminologist Cesare Beccaria wrote An Essay on
Crimes and Punishments, which
set forth most of classical criminological theory.
He argued that the only justified rationale for laws and punishments was the principle of utility.
Beccaria believed the basis of society, as well as the origin of punishments and the right to punish, is the
social contract.
5. Utility correct answer: the principle that a policy should provide "the greatest happiness shared by
the greatest number"
6. Social contract correct answer: An imaginary agreement to sacrifice the minimum amount of
liberty to prevent anarchy and
chaos
7. Deterrence correct answer: The only legitimate purpose of punishment is deterrence,
both special and general. Special or specific deterrence correct answer: the prevention of
individuals from committing crime again by punishing them
General deterrence correct answer: the prevention of people in general or society at large from engaging
in crime by punishing specific individuals and making examples of them
1/
15
, 8. Addition to Classical Theory correct answer: In addition to a social contract and ettective
punishment, Beccaria also
believed the best way to prevent or deter crime was to correct answer:
-Enact laws that are clear, simple, and unbiased, and that reflect the consensus of the population
-Educate the public
-Eliminate corruption from the administration of justice
-Reward virtue
9. Drawbacks- Classical correct answer: Not all
ottenders are alike. Juveniles are treated the same
as adults.
2/
15
