Question 1

Opponents of the death penalty for certain violent crimes might use social-psychological data to argue that one reason why the threat of capital punishment doesn't serve as an effective deterrent to violence is that

Accepted Answer

Social-psychological data suggest that the certainty and swiftness of punishment is more effective in deterring crime than the severity of the punishment. Since the process of apprehension, trial, and conviction for a capital crime can be lengthy and uncertain, it may not serve as a strong enough deterrent to potential offenders.

Question 2

Which of the following is true about whether or not punishing aggression reduced aggressive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Using aggression as a punishment can model aggressive behavior and possibly inspire imitation, leading to further aggression. While punishment can decrease the frequency of a behavior, it is not always effective in reducing aggressive behavior in the long term. The mere threat of punishment may have some short-term effects, but it may not be enough to cause lasting behavioral change.

Question 3

Capital punishment has served as a(n) ________ deterrent to those who consider commission of such crimes.This is evidenced by the ________ in the rate of capital crimes when the death penalty is enforced.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Capital punishment has served as a(n) ________...

Question 4

________ reflects the idea that if people can "aggress" in harmless ways, built-up aggressive energies will diminish, reducing the odds of further aggressive behavior.

Accepted Answer

Catharsis is the concept that if people are allowed to release their aggressive energies in harmless ways, it can reduce the likelihood of further aggressive behavior. This idea posits that "blowing off steam" can release pent-up aggression and prevent it from manifesting in more harmful ways.

Question 5

Social-psychological research has revealed that exposure to televised violence might weaken viewers' inhibitions about using violence in their own lives.If Peter is one such person, what is he likely to think when he watches a violent cops-and-robbers show?

Accepted Answer

According to the social-psychological research mentioned, exposure to televised violence can weaken inhibitions about using violence in viewers' own lives. One possible thought that Peter might have while watching a violent show is the belief that if the characters on the show can get away with violence, then he can too. This aligns with option A.

Question 6

Social-psychological research has revealed that viewers often learn the particulars of how to aggress when they watch violent television.If Andy is one such person, what is he likely to think when he watches a violent cops-and-robbers show?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that viewers often learn specifics of how to aggress from violent media. Therefore, Andy is likely to think "So that's how it's done" when watching a violent cops-and-robbers show.

Question 7

Longitudinal studies of violence and aggression have shown that exposure to violence in media or video games has the strongest relationship in children who

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal studies have shown that children who already have a predisposition to violence are more likely to be affected by exposure to violence in media or video games, compared to those who do not have such a predisposition. Other factors such as gender, physical limitations, or single-parent households have not been consistently linked to an increased risk of aggression or violence from exposure to media violence.

Question 8

Teresa punches a pillow every time she feels aggression building up toward her younger brother, and this makes her feel relieved and more relaxed.Such an outcome supports the notion of

Accepted Answer

The relief and relaxation Teresa feels after punching a pillow suggests that she is experiencing catharsis, which is the release of pent-up emotions through non-harmful means. This mechanism is often used to manage aggression and reduce negative emotions. The other answer choices (aggressive stimuli, avoidance coping, and dehumanization) do not accurately describe Teresa's behavior or the outcome she experiences.

Question 9

Proponents of the death penalty might use social-psychological data to assert that it can become an effective deterrent if

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent is argued to increase if law enforcement and the judicial process are more efficient and prompt, as the swiftness of punishment can enhance its deterrent effect.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a viable explanation for why watching violence on television is correlated with aggressive behavior, according to social-psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Social-psychological research does not support the idea that watching violence on television encourages the catharsis of aggressive impulses. In fact, evidence suggests that watching violent media can actually exacerbate aggressive behavior rather than provide a healthy outlet for it. A, C, and D are all supported by social-psychological research as potential explanations for the correlation between television violence and aggressive behavior.

Question 11

Results of laboratory experiments with adults (e.g., Bower & Hilgard, 1981) suggest that the one reason why threats of punishment do not seem to deter violent crime in the "real world" is that in the criminal justice system, punishment is

Accepted Answer

The laboratory experiments suggest that punishment needs to be swift and certain to be effective in deterring violent crime. However, in the criminal justice system, punishment is often neither of these things, which may explain why threats of punishment do not seem to have a deterrent effect. The other answer choices (A, C, and D) are not supported by the laboratory experiments and are not mentioned as factors that affect the effectiveness of punishment in deterring violent crime.

Question 12

The idea of venting one's frustrations and anger by aggressing in harmless ways is an oversimplification of ________ theory of catharsis.

Accepted Answer

The theory of catharsis was originally proposed by Sigmund Freud, who believed that expressing one's aggression in harmless ways could release pent-up emotions and reduce the likelihood of violent behavior. However, subsequent research has not supported this theory, and in fact suggests that behaving aggressively can actually increase feelings of anger and hostility.

Question 13

Research by Patterson (1974) found that high school football players were more competitive and aggressive in _____ than ______ weeks; thereby contracting the predictions of the supporters of catharsis.

Accepted Answer

Patterson's research found that high school football players were more competitive and aggressive in later weeks, which contradicts the theory of catharsis.

Question 14

Which of the following parent-child interactions is most likely to reduce the child's aggressive behavior?

Accepted Answer

Option B offers a consequence for the child's behavior that is non-violent and non-threatening, while still providing a clear consequence for their actions. Time-outs have been shown to be effective in reducing aggressive behavior in children. The other options use threatening or violent language, which can model and reinforce aggressive behavior.

Question 15

Lee is thinking about murdering someone who has wronged him.According to information from your text, under what circumstances would Lee be least likely to commit the crime?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, certainty and promptness of punishment are strong deterrents to crime. Therefore, Lee would be least likely to commit the crime if he knows that the punishment is certain and prompt.

Question 16

Researchers studied crime statistics both before and after the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.These researchers found that the return to capital punishment

Accepted Answer

Researchers studying crime statistics both before and after the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976 found that there was no noticeable effect on homicide rates. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 17

According to social-psychological research (e.g., Bower & Hilgard, 1981), what are the "ideal conditions" for punishment to be an effective deterrent to violence? Punishment must be

Accepted Answer

The ideal conditions for punishment to be an effective deterrent to violence are that it must be prompt and certain. This means that the punishment must happen quickly after the offense is committed and the offender must be certain that they will be punished if they commit the offense. Severe punishment alone is not enough, as it can lead to resentment and a desire for revenge. Similarly, fairness is important, but it is not necessarily a requirement for punishment to be an effective deterrent.

Question 18

Based on what your text reports, which of the following conditions of punishment is most likely to deter violent criminals?

Accepted Answer

The text suggests that punishment that is prompt and certain is most likely to deter violent criminals. This means that the punishment is immediate and the criminal knows that they will definitely face consequences for their actions. Severe punishment alone may not be effective if it is not prompt and certain. Additionally, fairness is important for the legitimacy of the justice system, but it may not necessarily be the most effective deterrent for violent criminals.

Question 19

Little Neil is frustrated and is threatening to throttle his baby sister.His mother intervenes, and suggests that Neil "get over it" by taking a dozen eggs and smashing them against the tree in the front yard.Neil's mother appears to be a proponent of ________ as a means of reducing aggression.

Accepted Answer

Neil's mother is suggesting that he use catharsis as a means of reducing his aggression towards his sister. Catharsis is the process of releasing or venting one's emotions in a safe and constructive way, rather than directing them towards others in a harmful manner. In this case, smashing the eggs against the tree allows Neil to release his frustration without causing harm to his sister.

Question 20

Which of the following is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

There is no evidence to support that watching television violence strengthens people’s inhibitions against violent behavior. In fact, research suggests that exposure to television violence can desensitize people to violence, making them more accepting of aggressive behavior.

Quiz 12: Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People Can We Prevent It