DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

ISSUES CONCERNING THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRIME

1. Racial profiling is currently one of the most controversial law enforcement policies. Given the characteristics of the typical violent criminal in the United States, is racial profiling by law enforcement officials justified? What are the costs and benefits to racial profiling? Do you believe its benefits outweigh its costs or vice versa?

2. Consider the three primary sources of information on crime in the United States and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Many feel that these sources reflect a social bias against the poor and in favor of dominant social groups (for example, the wealthy), who are more likely to commit white-collar crime. To what degree is this observation true? Do you think our society should pay more attention to white-collar crime?

3. Are so-called Megan’s laws a good idea? On what level do you believe they are effective as a punishment, a deterrent against further offenses and as a warning system to communities? What are the costs and benefits of Megan’s laws to the communities in which they are in effect? Do they unnecessarily raise residents’ fears? Do you believe offenders have the right to a second chance?

4. Have there been times in your life when your fear of crime (or the fear you see others around you exhibit) has affected decisions you’ve made? What do you think are the social consequences of widespread fear of crime? To what extent do high levels of crime undermine social trust? How are life styles affected? Why do you think that the elderly and females report the greatest fear of crime yet are statistically less likely to become victims of crime?

5. Your textbook discusses the issue of victim precipitation. Scholars have distinguished between two types of precipitation - active and passive. How would you distinguish active from passive victim precipitation? Apply these two types of victim precipitation to the crime of rape. Do you believe that rapes can be, in part, precipitated by the victim?

Note also the discussion questions included in Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7.

INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL THEORIES OF CRIME

1. Basing their arguments on biological theories of crime, some have argued that the government should make abortion and sterilization mandatory among certain "criminal-prone groups" in order to reduce crime levels in the United States. Others have pushed for genetic engineering as a means to lower crime. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such policies on ideological/ethical grounds. Evaluate the evidence for and against biological explanations of crime. Do you believe the evidence is sufficient to warrant these policy recommendations? Do you believe there is ever enough evidence to support such policy decisions?

2. Is the death penalty effective in deterring crime? Be specific in discussing evidence for and against this argument. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of capital punishment.

3. Several well-known criminals, such as John Hinkley, have been found not guilty by reason of insanity for crimes they committed. Do you believe there are times when the insanity defense is just or should all people be held accountable for their actions? Where should we draw the line on use of the insanity defense?

4. Apply the criteria to determine the validity and quality of a theory discussed in class to the classical school of criminology (or to contemporary choice theories of crime). What do you conclude for each of the criteria? Be specific. Do you believe that choice theories are useful as an explanation for crime causation?

5. How valid do you believe arguments are regarding the relationship between IQ and crime? What is the evidence in favor of an IQ-crime link? What are some potential problems with research that supports an IQ-crime association?

Social Process and Social Structure Theories of Crime

1. Review the main elements of social bonding theory. Reflect on and discuss instances in which you cha nged or modified your desires/behavior due to your social bonds. What factors in American society might cause social bonds to be weaker in inner-city neighborhoods?

2. STRAIN THEORY: Describe the "cultural goals" and "institutional norms" that exist at your school. Are these goals and norms in "balance"? Describe the "adaptations" that individuals might employ when they cannot achieve the cultural goals emphasized at your school. What factors do you think determine whether individuals will choose adaptation s that may involve crime, like innovation? What policy recommendations might Merton make for controlling crime?

3. NEUTRALIZATION THEORY: Sykes and Matza note: "one of the most fascinating problems about human behavior is why men violate the laws in which they believe." What solution do Sykes and Matza offer to this problem? Most students disapprove of cheating on exams, but many nonetheless cheat. List possible justifications such students might give for their cheating behavior. Which techniques of neutralization do these justifications illustrate? Sykes and Matza argue that the techiques of neutralization are learned from others. They do not, however, describe those groups or types of individuals that are most likely to employ the techniques of neutralization. What groups or categories of individuals do you think are most likely to employ the techniques of neutralization and why?

4. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY: Some have argued that the portrayal of violence in the media is a major factor contributing to the recent incidents of school violence (eg, Columbine and Jonesboro). Do you believe that the media plays a prominent role as a teacher of viol ence? If so, what are some possible policy recommendations to reduce violence? For example, do you believe that censorship would be a good idea? If you were to conduct a study to determine the influence of the media, how might you assess the impact of the media?

5. LABELING THEORY: Think of a instance in which you were labeled. The object of the label doesn't have to be a crime (for example, you could have been labeled for being overweight, being a smoker, being sexually promiscuous, being a grind). How did that label make you feel? How do others in your group perceive the effects of the label?

6. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS: Think about some potential social policies that each social process and social structure theory of crime suggests would be effective (Be cre ative - review current crime prevention policies that exist but I encourage you to think of some new suggestions). Describe briefly each of these policies. For each policy recommendation, consider how easy or difficult each one would be to implement?

7. IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH IS THE BEST THEORY? In light of the various criteria we have discussed regarding what constitutes a "good theory", discuss and debate which theory is most effective in explaining criminal behavior. Consider the advantages, disadvantag es, and available evidence for each of the theories. What do each of you conclude is the most useful theory of crime?