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Revision Examination Tests
“Come all for this greatness”
...100% Correct Ans...
CMY3701 - The Explanation of Crime (CMY3701) Pack
Assignment (100% correct answers) 2024-2025
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES
ans:>are those circumstances that cause the offender to be punished
more severely than they would normally be for a specific crime. For
example, conviction for the rape of a child would warrant a more serious
punishment than rape of an adult, because society views a child as more
vulnerable
and helpless (Hunter & Dantzker, 2002:3±32).
CLASSICAL CRIMINOLOGY
ans:>as an approach to studying crime emphasizes the importance of
free will and views a criminal act as one that had been consciously
carried out by its perpetrator; the perpetrator has rationally weighed up
the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the action. The main
focus of classicist criminology is on the operation of the criminal justice
system. Classicists believe that, if this system operated in a consistent
and predictable fashion, it would eliminate crime (because those who
committed crime knew that they would not get away with it (Joyce,
2006:557)).
CRIMINAL EVENT DECISIONS
ans:>are shorter processes that use more limited information that
relates mainly to the immediate circumstances and situations
(Cote,2002:292).
,CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT
ans:>refers to the processes through which individuals initially choose to
become involved in particular forms of crime, to continue on this path,
and then, later to desist from crime (Cote, 2002:29).
LIMITED OR BOUNDED RATIONALITY
ans:>is a term used to indicate that even though individuals may make
poor decisions, often based on incomplete or simply inadequate
information, they are nonetheless rational actors (Newburn, 2007:949).
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
ans:>are those circumstances that would result in a more lenient
sentence that would normally be imposed for a similar crime. A first- time
offender would normally receive a lighter sentence than someone with a
long criminal history (Hunter & Dantzker, 2002:32).
NEO-CLASSICAL SCHOOL
ans:>is a body of theory that contends that scientific criminology
(positivism), with its belief in rehabilitation, is invalid. According to this
school of thought, society should return to the principles of classical
criminology and should deal with crime by concentrating on the
administration of justice and the punishment of offenders (Empey,
Stafford & Hay, 1999:418).
ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THEORY
ans:>is theory (associated primarily with Marcus Felson) which suggests
that for crime to occur three factors must be present, namely a motivated
offender; a suitable victim; and the absence of capable guardians
(Newburn, 2007:952).
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
ans:>is a theory which emphasises the importance of rationality in
human action, even if this is limited (bounded). It emphasises the
decision-making processes involved in the choices made by offenders
(Newburn, 2007:95).
SOCIAL CONTRACT
,ans:>is when an individual is bound to society only by his or her
own consent, and society is therefore responsible to him or her (Hunter
& Dantzker,2002:29).
Burke (2005:28±29) identifies the following central attributes of the
classical and neoclassical schools, which laid down the foundations of
the rational actor model:
ans:>. A fundamental concentration on the criminal law and the legal
definition of crime.
. The central concept that the punishment should fit the crime rather than
the offender.
. The doctrine of free will, according to which all people are free to
choose their actions. From this perspective, it is assumed that there is
nothing ''different'' or ''special'' about offenders that differentiate them
from other people.
. The use of non-scientific methodology coupled with a lack of empirical
research.
neoclassicists,
ans:>= a person is still accountable for his or her actions, but with
certain minor reservations
= it is acknowledged that the offender's past history and present situation
both influence the likelihood of reform
= sane adults were still considered fully responsible for their actions, and
all equally capable of either criminal or law-abiding behaviour.
= that children (and in some circumstances the elderly) were less
capable of exercising free choice and were therefore less responsible for
their actions
= insane and ``feeble-minded'' might be even less responsible
= admitted into the courts for the first time non-legal "experts''
including doctors, psychiatrists and, later, social workers.
= purpose of this intervention was to determine the extent to which
offenders were responsible for their actions.
= outcome was that sentences became more individualised, depending
on the perceived degree of responsibility on the part of the offender and
on whether there were mitigating circumstances
elements that increase or decrease the likelihood that persons will be
victims
of personal (direct contact) or property crime are:
, ans:>= The availability of suitable targets in the form of a person or
property,
= The absence of capable guardians, such as police, homeowners,
neighbours,
friends, and relatives.
= The presence of motivated offenders, such as young males, drug
users and
unemployed adults.
Suitability of target is dependent on 4 criteria, VIVA
ans:>(+) Value: calculated from the subjective rational perspective of the
offender,
what is the target worth?
(+) Inertia: the extent to which the article or target can be realistically
removed,
taken, robbed or moved
(+) Visibility: how visible the target is to the offender?
(+) Accessibility: how easy it is to gain access to the target?
Felson suggests that managers and city planners can implement a
variety of strategies in order to prevent crime.
ans:>= increased surveillance (informal supervision);
= limiting pedestrian access to
certain streets;
= keeping schools visible from buildings where there are adults;
= encouraging the presence of resident caretakers in schools.
Cornish and Clarke summarise the basis of their rational
choice perspective in the following six basic propositions:
ans:>(i) Crimes are deliberate acts, committed with the intention of
benefit
(ii) Offenders try to make the best decisions they can, given the risks and
uncertainty involved.
(iii) Offender decision making varies considerably according to the
nature of the crime.
(iv) Decisions about becoming involved in particular kinds of crime
("involvement
decisions'') are quite different from those relating to the commission of a
specific criminal act ("event decisions'').
Revision Examination Tests
“Come all for this greatness”
...100% Correct Ans...
CMY3701 - The Explanation of Crime (CMY3701) Pack
Assignment (100% correct answers) 2024-2025
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES
ans:>are those circumstances that cause the offender to be punished
more severely than they would normally be for a specific crime. For
example, conviction for the rape of a child would warrant a more serious
punishment than rape of an adult, because society views a child as more
vulnerable
and helpless (Hunter & Dantzker, 2002:3±32).
CLASSICAL CRIMINOLOGY
ans:>as an approach to studying crime emphasizes the importance of
free will and views a criminal act as one that had been consciously
carried out by its perpetrator; the perpetrator has rationally weighed up
the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the action. The main
focus of classicist criminology is on the operation of the criminal justice
system. Classicists believe that, if this system operated in a consistent
and predictable fashion, it would eliminate crime (because those who
committed crime knew that they would not get away with it (Joyce,
2006:557)).
CRIMINAL EVENT DECISIONS
ans:>are shorter processes that use more limited information that
relates mainly to the immediate circumstances and situations
(Cote,2002:292).
,CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT
ans:>refers to the processes through which individuals initially choose to
become involved in particular forms of crime, to continue on this path,
and then, later to desist from crime (Cote, 2002:29).
LIMITED OR BOUNDED RATIONALITY
ans:>is a term used to indicate that even though individuals may make
poor decisions, often based on incomplete or simply inadequate
information, they are nonetheless rational actors (Newburn, 2007:949).
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
ans:>are those circumstances that would result in a more lenient
sentence that would normally be imposed for a similar crime. A first- time
offender would normally receive a lighter sentence than someone with a
long criminal history (Hunter & Dantzker, 2002:32).
NEO-CLASSICAL SCHOOL
ans:>is a body of theory that contends that scientific criminology
(positivism), with its belief in rehabilitation, is invalid. According to this
school of thought, society should return to the principles of classical
criminology and should deal with crime by concentrating on the
administration of justice and the punishment of offenders (Empey,
Stafford & Hay, 1999:418).
ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THEORY
ans:>is theory (associated primarily with Marcus Felson) which suggests
that for crime to occur three factors must be present, namely a motivated
offender; a suitable victim; and the absence of capable guardians
(Newburn, 2007:952).
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
ans:>is a theory which emphasises the importance of rationality in
human action, even if this is limited (bounded). It emphasises the
decision-making processes involved in the choices made by offenders
(Newburn, 2007:95).
SOCIAL CONTRACT
,ans:>is when an individual is bound to society only by his or her
own consent, and society is therefore responsible to him or her (Hunter
& Dantzker,2002:29).
Burke (2005:28±29) identifies the following central attributes of the
classical and neoclassical schools, which laid down the foundations of
the rational actor model:
ans:>. A fundamental concentration on the criminal law and the legal
definition of crime.
. The central concept that the punishment should fit the crime rather than
the offender.
. The doctrine of free will, according to which all people are free to
choose their actions. From this perspective, it is assumed that there is
nothing ''different'' or ''special'' about offenders that differentiate them
from other people.
. The use of non-scientific methodology coupled with a lack of empirical
research.
neoclassicists,
ans:>= a person is still accountable for his or her actions, but with
certain minor reservations
= it is acknowledged that the offender's past history and present situation
both influence the likelihood of reform
= sane adults were still considered fully responsible for their actions, and
all equally capable of either criminal or law-abiding behaviour.
= that children (and in some circumstances the elderly) were less
capable of exercising free choice and were therefore less responsible for
their actions
= insane and ``feeble-minded'' might be even less responsible
= admitted into the courts for the first time non-legal "experts''
including doctors, psychiatrists and, later, social workers.
= purpose of this intervention was to determine the extent to which
offenders were responsible for their actions.
= outcome was that sentences became more individualised, depending
on the perceived degree of responsibility on the part of the offender and
on whether there were mitigating circumstances
elements that increase or decrease the likelihood that persons will be
victims
of personal (direct contact) or property crime are:
, ans:>= The availability of suitable targets in the form of a person or
property,
= The absence of capable guardians, such as police, homeowners,
neighbours,
friends, and relatives.
= The presence of motivated offenders, such as young males, drug
users and
unemployed adults.
Suitability of target is dependent on 4 criteria, VIVA
ans:>(+) Value: calculated from the subjective rational perspective of the
offender,
what is the target worth?
(+) Inertia: the extent to which the article or target can be realistically
removed,
taken, robbed or moved
(+) Visibility: how visible the target is to the offender?
(+) Accessibility: how easy it is to gain access to the target?
Felson suggests that managers and city planners can implement a
variety of strategies in order to prevent crime.
ans:>= increased surveillance (informal supervision);
= limiting pedestrian access to
certain streets;
= keeping schools visible from buildings where there are adults;
= encouraging the presence of resident caretakers in schools.
Cornish and Clarke summarise the basis of their rational
choice perspective in the following six basic propositions:
ans:>(i) Crimes are deliberate acts, committed with the intention of
benefit
(ii) Offenders try to make the best decisions they can, given the risks and
uncertainty involved.
(iii) Offender decision making varies considerably according to the
nature of the crime.
(iv) Decisions about becoming involved in particular kinds of crime
("involvement
decisions'') are quite different from those relating to the commission of a
specific criminal act ("event decisions'').
