Assignment #1 Deterrence Theory Due: Tuesday 7/9

1. What is the difference between specific and general deterrence?

2. What is the difference between “objective” and “perceptual” measures of deterrence?
3. Do criminal sanctions deter? (Distinguish here between “absolute” and “marginal”
deterrence). Justify your answer.

Assignment #2 Rational Choice Theory Due: Wednesday 7/10

1. What do Cohen and Felson mean by “suitable targets” and “capable guardianship?”
Use examples to explain. Why is this theory included in the “rational choice” section of
the book?
2. Both Akers (p. 25, bottom-26) and Cullen and Agnew (p. 248, top right) point out that
many rational choice theories go beyond “pure utility” or “pure rational choice.” Using
Cornish and Clarke’s rational choice theory, explain what they mean and why this could
be a criticism of rational choice theory.

Assignment #3 Social Learning Theory Due: Thursday 7/11

1. In Sutherland’s 1st principle of differential association, he states that “the person who
is not already trained in crime does not invent criminal behavior.” Do you agree with this
statement? Why or why not? Can you think of any criminal behaviors that might not
require any training?
2. How did Akers modify Sutherland’s theory? Describe the central propositions of
Akers’ theory.

Assignment #4 Strain/Anomie Theory Due: Monday 7/15

1. According to Cullen and Agnew (see intro to Merton’s article), Merton articulates two
related theories in his classic article, “Social Structure and Anomie.” Cullen and Agnew
call these theories “anomie” theory and “strain theory.
a. Describe Merton’s “anomie” theory—that is, why do some societies have
higher crime rates than others? Be specific and go beyond what Cullen and
Agnew describe.
b. Describe Merton’s “strain” theory—that is, why do some individuals commit
crimes? (You need not describe each “mode of adaptation).

Assignment #5 Strain Theory Updated Due: Tuesday 7/16

1. According to Messner and Rosenfeld, what is meant by the “institutional balance of

power?” How does the institutional balance of power in the U.S. lead to high crime
rates?
2. Briefly describe Agnew’s “General Strain Theory.” How is this theory similar to and
different from Merton’s strain theory?
Assignment #6 Control Theory Due: Wednesday 7/17

1. What general assumption about human nature underlies control theory? Is this similar
or different from social learning theory and stain theory?
2. How do Gottfredson and Hirschi describe “criminal acts?” How is this related to their
description of low self-control?
3. According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, how does an individual gain self-control?
When do individuals establish self-control?

Assignment #7 Crime and Human Nature (IQ) Due: Tuesday 7/23

1. What do Wilson and Herrnstein mean when they say that the “value of non-crime lies
in the future”? (In your answer, you should describe both the rewards of crime and the
rewards of non-crime).
2. How are “rewards” affected by uncertainty and “time discounting?”

Assignment #8 Conflict/Marxist Theory Due: Thursday 7/25

1. How do conflict theorists explain the creation/content of the law (how are laws
passed, and what kind of laws get passed) and the operation of the criminal justice
system? How is this different from “consensus” theorists?
2. According to Colvin and Pauly, why does Capitalism cause crime? Is this a structural
or instrumental Marxist theory?

Assignment #9 Labeling Theory Due: Monday 7/29

1. Cullen and Agnew state that labeling theory has an “ironic twist.” What is this twist?
What assumption do labeling theorists seem to make about human nature?
2. Deterrence theory predicts that official sanctions will prevent delinquency, while
traditional labeling theory predicts that official sanction will amplify delinquency.
According to Braithewaite, which is correct? Explain.

Assignment #10 Developmental Criminology Due: Wednesday 7/31

1. Describe Moffitt’s two types of offenders. Why does one type desist from crime while
the other does not?

2. What are the policy implications of Sampson and Laub’s theory for (a) reducing
adolescent crime, and (b) reducing adult crime?