Social Class and Crime: Exploring the Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Criminal Behavior

Question 1

Which theory suggests that strain and opportunity are key factors in shaping criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory

Answer

Social learning theory

Answer

Control theory

Answer

Differential association theory

Question 2

Which of the following is a type of white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement

Answer

Assault

Answer

Burglary

Answer

Drug trafficking

Question 3

In what way does social class influence the likelihood of arrest, conviction, and sentencing for a crime?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between social class and criminal justice outcomes is complex and varies depending on the specific crime and the individual circumstances.

Answer

Higher-class individuals are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison.

Answer

Lower-class individuals are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison.

Answer

Social class has no impact on the likelihood of arrest, conviction, or sentencing.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a restorative justice practice?

Accepted Answer

Mediation between the victim and the offender

Answer

Community service

Answer

Incarceration

Answer

Capital punishment

Question 5

Which of the following is not considered a characteristic of social deviance?

Accepted Answer

Personal gain

Answer

Violation of social norms

Answer

Harm to society

Answer

Social disapproval

Question 6

How can the media contribute to the stigmatization of people who engage in deviant behavior?

Accepted Answer

By sensationalizing deviant behavior and creating stereotypes

Answer

By providing accurate information and fostering understanding

Answer

By ignoring deviant behavior altogether

Answer

By promoting tolerance and acceptance of deviant behavior

Question 7

According to labeling theory, how does being labeled as deviant affect an individual's behavior?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and reinforce deviant behavior.

Answer

It has no impact on an individual's behavior.

Answer

It always leads to positive changes in behavior.

Answer

It can motivate individuals to conform to social norms.

Question 8

Which social class theory emphasizes the significance of cultural values in shaping criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Lower-class culture theory

Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Social disorganization theory

Question 9

According to which theory do individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds resort to crime as a means of achieving social status?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory

Answer

Social conflict theory

Answer

Differential association theory

Answer

Control theory

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of social class-related crime?

Accepted Answer

Economic prosperity

Answer

Community deterioration

Answer

Increased poverty levels

Answer

Reduced social mobility

Question 11

How do educational policies and practices both contribute to and mitigate the relationship between social class and crime?

Accepted Answer

Providing equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Accepted Answer

Providing vocational training programs for students who are not college-bound.

Answer

Implementing strict discipline policies in schools, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

Answer

Tracking students into different educational pathways based on their perceived abilities.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a significant factor contributing to the relationship between social class and crime?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Access to resources

Answer

Neighborhood environment

Question 13

The idea of social control refers to:

Accepted Answer

The formal and informal mechanisms that discourage crime

Answer

The ability of individuals to control their own behavior

Answer

The efforts of police to prevent crime

Answer

The social norms and values that guide conduct

Question 14

The connection between social class and crime is:

Accepted Answer

A multifaceted phenomenon influenced by multiple factors

Answer

Caused solely by genetics

Answer

Inevitable and unchangeable

Answer

Unproven by research

Question 15

Social control theory suggests that social class affects criminal behavior by influencing:

Accepted Answer

An individual's social bonds

Answer

An individual's access to resources

Answer

An individual's level of social strain

Question 16

What is a major ethical concern about using social class to predict criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Using social class as a predictor can lead to discrimination and bias.

Answer

Social class is not a reliable indicator of criminal behavior.

Answer

Social class is too difficult to measure accurately.

Answer

There are no ethical concerns about using social class as a predictor.

Question 17

Community-oriented policing aims to reduce crime and address social class disparities by:

Accepted Answer

Building partnerships between police and community members

Answer

Increasing arrests and prosecutions

Answer

Using more surveillance and monitoring technologies

Answer

Reducing police presence in marginalized communities

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a type of strain in Merton's Strain Theory?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Innovation

Answer

Ritualism

Answer

Rebellion

Question 19

Which theory suggests that crime is a learned behavior acquired through interactions within lower socioeconomic groups?

Accepted Answer

Social Learning Theory

Answer

Strain Theory

Answer

Rational Choice Theory

Answer

Control Theory

Question 20

According to Strain Theory, what is a primary cause of crime in individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Limited access to legitimate opportunities

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Social isolation

Answer

Family conflicts

Question 21

How does social class affect the likelihood of incarceration?

Accepted Answer

Lower-class individuals face a higher probability of being arrested, tried, and convicted for the same offenses as higher-class individuals.

Answer

Higher-class individuals are more likely to receive harsher sentences for the same crimes as lower-class individuals.

Answer

Social class has no significant impact on the likelihood of incarceration.

Answer

Lower-class individuals are more likely to receive reduced sentences in comparison to higher-class individuals.

Question 22

What is a distinguishing factor that sets white-collar crime apart from other forms of crime?

Accepted Answer

Higher socioeconomic status of offenders

Answer

Greater financial gain

Answer

Lower likelihood of detection

Answer

Reduced consequences

Question 23

According to Rational Choice Theory, what is the primary motivation for criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Pursuit of pleasure or avoidance of discomfort

Answer

Social pressures

Answer

Genetic predispositions

Answer

Environmental influences

Question 24

Which of the following is the most precise definition of social deviance?

Accepted Answer

Any behavior that is widely considered to violate accepted social norms.

Answer

Any behavior that is regarded as immoral or unacceptable in a given society.

Answer

Any behavior that conflicts with the laws and regulations of a particular society.

Answer

Any behavior that causes harm to individuals or to society as a whole.

Question 25

How does social class impact the likelihood of an individual committing a crime?

Accepted Answer

Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are generally more likely to engage in criminal behavior.

Answer

Individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are generally more likely to engage in criminal behavior.

Answer

There is no significant relationship between social class and the likelihood of committing crimes.

Answer

The correlation between social class and crime rates is intricate and varies based on the nature of the crime.

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a commonly accepted theory explaining why individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to commit crimes?

Accepted Answer

Biological determinism

Answer

Strain theory

Answer

Social control theory

Answer

Opportunity theory

Question 27

According to strain theory, why are individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds more likely to engage in crime?

Accepted Answer

Limited opportunities and lack of legitimate means to achieve goals

Answer

Defective socialization

Answer

Internalized social norms

Answer

Exposure to deviant subcultures

Question 28

Conflict theory suggests that the criminalization of certain behaviors primarily benefits which group in society?

Accepted Answer

The wealthy and powerful elite

Answer

The middle class

Answer

The poor and marginalized

Answer

Law enforcement agencies

Question 29

Which of the following can serve as a protective factor against crime involvement for individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Stable family support and positive role models

Answer

Exposure to violent neighborhoods

Answer

Lack of educational attainment

Answer

Easy access to illegal substances

Question 30

Which policy intervention has been found effective in reducing crime rates in low-income communities?

Accepted Answer

Early childhood education and youth development programs

Answer

Increased police presence and surveillance

Answer

Tax cuts for corporations and wealthy individuals

Answer

Expansion of prisons and harsher sentencing

Question 31

True or False: Individuals from wealthy backgrounds are more likely to experience incarceration than those from poor backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

Only in developing countries

Answer

True

Answer

It depends on the type of crime committed

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of crime for society?

Accepted Answer

Strengthened social bonds and community cohesion

Answer

Reduced trust and social capital

Answer

Economic losses and property damage

Answer

Increased fear and anxiety

Question 33

True or False: The relationship between social class and crime is unchangeable and cannot be influenced by social interventions.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

Only in certain cultural contexts

Answer

It depends on the specific social context

Answer

True

Question 34

When conducting research on the relationship between social class and crime, which ethical consideration is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining confidentiality and protecting the privacy of research participants

Answer

Relying exclusively on official crime statistics

Answer

Ensuring generalizability to broader populations

Question 35

How can the media potentially shape public perceptions about the relationship between social class and crime?

Accepted Answer

By selectively highlighting crimes committed by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds

Answer

By presenting a balanced and diverse portrayal of crime across different social classes

Answer

By avoiding stereotypes about the criminality of certain groups

Question 36

According to the social disorganization theory, which of the following factors is a major contributor to crime?

Accepted Answer

Residential instability and high population turnover

Answer

Strong community bonds and social cohesion

Answer

Abundant economic opportunities

Question 37

According to William Julius Wilson, which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the underclass?

Accepted Answer

Strong family and community ties

Answer

Social isolation and alienation

Answer

Lack of access to quality education and healthcare

Answer

Concentrated joblessness and poverty

Question 38

Which of the following is a central concept of the differential opportunity theory?

Accepted Answer

The availability of both legitimate and illegitimate opportunities for success

Answer

The role of social control in preventing crime

Answer

The process of social learning and socialization

Question 39

Which of the following policies could potentially address the link between social class and crime?

Accepted Answer

Investing in early childhood education and job training programs

Answer

Enacting harsher criminal penalties

Answer

Increasing police presence in high-crime neighborhoods

Question 40

Which of the following socioeconomic factors is strongly correlated with higher rates of crime?

Accepted Answer

Poverty

Answer

Job stability

Answer

High educational attainment

Answer

Access to healthcare

Question 41

According to the General Strain Theory, what is a primary cause of crime?

Accepted Answer

Disconnection from conventional opportunities

Answer

Exposure to violence

Answer

Psychological disorders

Answer

Lack of moral values

Question 42

Which of the following is a key criticism of the labeling perspective on crime?

Accepted Answer

It overemphasizes the role of social stigma and neglects individual agency.

Answer

It is based on sound empirical evidence.

Answer

It provides a comprehensive explanation for all types of crime.

Question 43

What is the concept of 'differential opportunity theory' primarily concerned with?

Accepted Answer

How unequal access to legitimate opportunities influences criminal behavior.

Answer

The role of genetics in criminal behavior.

Answer

The impact of social disorganization on crime rates.

Question 44

Which of the following is considered a 'victimless crime'?

Accepted Answer

Prostitution

Answer

Assault

Answer

Murder

Answer

Theft

Question 45

Based on empirical research, what type of crime is most commonly committed by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds?

Accepted Answer

Property crimes

Answer

Organized crimes

Answer

Violent crimes

Answer

White-collar crimes

Question 46

Which of the following government policies has been criticized for disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities with respect to crime and punishment?

Accepted Answer

Mass incarceration

Answer

Gun control

Answer

Rehabilitation programs

Answer

Community policing

Question 47

What is a fundamental distinction between 'strain theory' and 'social control theory' in explaining crime?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory emphasizes structural factors, while social control theory emphasizes individual factors.

Answer

Strain theory is based on the assumption that crime is a learned behavior.

Question 48

What is the 'poverty trap' theory in relation to social class and crime?

Accepted Answer

It suggests that persistent poverty limits opportunities and resources, increasing the likelihood of criminal behavior.

Answer

It argues that poverty is the sole cause of crime.

Question 49

Which of the following is a major goal of restorative justice approaches to crime?

Accepted Answer

To mend harm and rebuild relationships between victims, offenders, and the community.

Answer

To impose the most severe punishment on offenders.

Answer

To focus solely on preventing future crimes.