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Chapter 02

Crime and Its Consequences

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the meaning of the word "crime"?
A. harmful behavior
B. accusation or fault
C. an offense against the state
D. an offense against an individual

Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Level: Moderate
Topic: Definitions of Crime

2. One problem with finding an appropriate definition of crime is that
A. too many behaviors exist that could be defined as crimes.
B. crime should be defined only by the presence of physical injury to another person.
C. many dangerous and harmful behaviors are not defined as crimes, while many less dangerous and less harmful behaviors are.
D. most behaviors defined as criminal are actually "victimless crimes."

Bloom's Taxonomy: Analysis
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

3. Which of the following is a problem with or criticism of a legal definition of crime?
A. Some behaviors are prohibited by the criminal law but, arguably, should not be.
B. Some behaviors are prohibited by the criminal law but the law is not routinely enforced.
C. Some behaviors arguably should be prohibited by the criminal law, although they are not.
D. All these answers are correct.

Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Level: Moderate
Topic: Definitions of Crime

4. A typical ________ definition of crime is "behavior that violates the norms or mores of society."
A. legal
B. criminological
C. social
D. psychological

Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

5. A(n) ________ is any standard or rule regarding what human beings should or should not think, say, or do under given circumstances.
A. norm or social more
B. law or commandment
C. ethic or direction
D. moral or adage

Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

6. A typical ________ definition of crime is "an intentional violation of the criminal law or penal code, committed without defense or excuse and penalized by the state."
A. psychological
B. social
C. criminal
D. legal

Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

7. The term ________ refers to criminal conduct—specifically, intentional or criminally negligent action or inaction that causes harm.
A. ex post facto
B. actus reus
C. mens rea
D. concurrence

Bloom's Taxonomy: Knowledge
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

8. If a person does not want to commit a crime but is forced to do so against his or her will, he or she committed the crime
A. under duress.
B. in entrapment.
C. in self-defense.
D. in defense of a third party.

Bloom's Taxonomy: Application
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime

9. Most legal excuses for criminal responsibility are based on the belief that certain offenders lack the capacity or competence or have diminished capacity or competence to form
A. mens rea.
B. actus reus.
C. legality.
D. mala prohibita.

Bloom's Taxonomy: Comprehension
Level: Basic
Topic: Definitions of Crime