One of the Main Puzzles in the Study of Criminology

question 42

Multiple Choice

One of the main puzzles in the study of criminology is that although society became much more affluent in the twentieth century, crime rates continued to rise. Robert K. Merton responded to this quandary by:

• A) determining that economic factors were no longer relevant to crime
• B) emphasizing the morality socialized into particular groups
• C) identifying a sense of relative deprivation as a factor in deviance
• D) recognizing that people with deviant peers are more likely to participate in deviant behavior

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Definitions:

Heuristics

Simple, efficient rules, either hard-coded by evolutionary processes or learned, that help in making decisions, forming judgments, and solving problems.

Mental Shortcuts

Heuristic methods or simple strategies used by individuals to make decisions or judgments quickly without having to consider all possible variables, often resulting in cognitive biases.

Consolidating Memories

The process by which memories become stable in the brain; a phase where short-term memories are transformed into long-term memories.

Experiential System

A cognitive processing system that operates based on experiences, emotions, and intuitions rather than analytical reasoning.