Discuss why it is often difficult to determine the true extent of crime. Include a discussion of police discretion and accuracy.

What will be an ideal response?


The ideal answer should include:
1. There is no single, universally agreed-on definition of crime.
2. Police officers have considerable discretion about how strongly to enforce laws. This discretionary power gives police many opportunities to exercise their own concept of lawful behavior in decisions about what complaints merit attention, who they should arrest, and who should be released.
3. Crime statistics depend on police reports, and more police are assigned to low-income neighborhoods.

Sociology

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Remarriage courtships: a. have well-defined rules

b. are short, unless preceded by cohabitation. c. involve unrealistic expectations. d. rarely involve cohabitation prior to marriage.

Sociology

Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the U.S. from 1880-1964 represent an example of

a. de jure segregation. b. de facto segregation. c. integration. d. assimilation.

Sociology

Which of the following statements is false?

A. Sociologists view the international sex trade as part of the global economy. B. The international sex trade is implicated in problems such as the spread of AIDS. C. The international sex trade is implicated in the exploitation of women where women have limited economic opportunities. D. International trade in sex has decreased as the result of increasing globalization and economic development.

Sociology

Tina wants to work for an organization that lobbies her state representatives to enact legislation that supports caregiving activities in families. Chances are, Tina holds which perspective?

A. conservative B. interactionist C. functionalist D. feminist

Sociology