Crime and Society: Theories of Crime Causation
Published:
Reviewed by Bismith B · 11 Jun 2026
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
09 Jun 2026
About this mock
This test explores the major theoretical frameworks used to explain why crime occurs and how individuals become involved in criminal behaviour. Drawing on biological, psychological, and sociological traditions, it covers strain and anomie theory, differential association and social learning, social control, labeling, routine activity, and rational choice perspectives. Questions are scenario-based, requiring you to identify which theory best explains a given situation, distinguish between closely related frameworks, and evaluate the empirical and logical strengths of each approach. The test is designed for students and practitioners of criminology, forensic science, and related disciplines seeking a rigorous, internationally grounded understanding of crime causation.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 2 questions
White Collar Crime
Edwin H. Sutherland, introduction and concluding theory of white-collar crime
- cited in 2 questions
Crime in the Making: Pathways and Turning Points Through Life
Robert J. Sampson and John H. Laub, chapter on turning points in the life course
- cited in 2 questions
Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies
Ronald V. Clarke (ed.), case studies on alcohol-related violence and environmental management
- cited in 2 questions
Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance
Howard S. Becker, opening chapter on outsiders and the social construction of deviance
- cited in 1 question
Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas
Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay, chapter on the distribution of juvenile delinquents in Chicago
- cited in 1 question
Delinquency and Opportunity: A Theory of Delinquent Gangs
Richard A. Cloward and Lloyd E. Ohlin, chapter on illegitimate means and delinquent subcultures
- cited in 1 question
A General Theory of Crime
Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi, chapter on the nature of criminality and low self-control
- cited in 1 question
The Reasoning Criminal: Rational Choice Perspectives on Offending
Derek B. Cornish and Ronald V. Clarke (eds.), introduction setting out the rational choice perspective
- cited in 1 question
Causes of Delinquency
Travis Hirschi, chapter presenting a control theory of delinquency
- cited in 1 question
Principles of Criminology
Edwin H. Sutherland and Donald R. Cressey, section on the theory of differential association
- cited in 1 question
Human Deviance, Social Problems, and Social Control
Edwin M. Lemert, section on primary and secondary deviance
- cited in 1 question
The Procedural Analysis of Offending and Its Relevance for Situational Prevention
Derek B. Cornish (1994), in Crime Prevention Studies (volume 3), ed. Ronald V. Clarke
- cited in 1 question
Social Theory and Social Structure
Robert K. Merton, chapter on Social Structure and Anomie (enlarged edition)
- cited in 1 question
Criminology: A Sociological Understanding
Steven E. Barkan, chapter on strain and anomie theories including Agnew's general strain theory
- cited in 1 question
Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction
Frank Schmalleger, chapters comparing biological and sociological theories
- cited in 1 question
Deterrence in the Twenty-First Century
Daniel S. Nagin, review essay in the Crime and Justice annual series (2013)
- cited in 1 question
The Rules of the Sociological Method
Émile Durkheim, chapter distinguishing the normal from the pathological
- cited in 1 question
Crime, Shame and Reintegration
John Braithwaite, chapter on reintegrative shaming theory and its application
- cited in 1 question
Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application
Ronald L. Akers and Christine S. Sellers, chapter on social learning theory
- cited in 1 question
Suicide: A Study in Sociology
Émile Durkheim, book section on social causes and social types, including anomic suicide
- cited in 1 question
Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences
J. Robert Lilly, Francis T. Cullen, and Richard A. Ball, chapter on biological and psychological theories
- cited in 1 question
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
C. Ray Jeffery, foundational chapters on environmental design and crime opportunity
- cited in 1 question
Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us
Robert D. Hare, chapters on the PCL-R construct and criminal behaviour
- cited in 1 question
Biosocial Criminology: A Primer
Anthony Walsh and Kevin M. Beaver, chapter on gene-environment interplay; primary study Caspi et al. (2002) in Science on MAOA and maltreatment
- cited in 1 question
Criminology: Explaining Crime and Its Context
Robert M. Bohm and Brenda L. Vogel, chapter on environmental and situational theories; Cohen & Felson (1979) original formulation
- cited in 1 question
Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency
Gresham M. Sykes and David Matza, American Sociological Review (1957)
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Crime and Society: Theories of Crime Causation mock cover?+
This test explores the major theoretical frameworks used to explain why crime occurs and how individuals become involved in criminal behaviour. Drawing on biological, psychological, and sociological traditions, it covers strain and anomie theory, differential association and social learning, social control, labeling, routine activity, and rational choice perspectives. Questions are scenario-based, requiring you to identify which theory best explains a given situation, distinguish between closely
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: medium. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Crime and Society. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.