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CMY3701 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- as an approach
to studying crime emphasises 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 - correct answer- are shorter
processes that use more limited information that relates mainly
to the immediate circumstances and situations
(Cote,2002:292).
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CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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).
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ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THEORY - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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: - correct answer- . 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.
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. 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, - correct answer- = 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
CMY3701 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2025
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- as an approach
to studying crime emphasises 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 - correct answer- are shorter
processes that use more limited information that relates mainly
to the immediate circumstances and situations
(Cote,2002:292).
,2 | Page
CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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).
,3 | Page
ROUTINE ACTIVITIES THEORY - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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 - correct answer- 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: - correct answer- . 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.
, 4 | Page
. 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, - correct answer- = 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
