Summarize contemporary research regarding the IQ and delinquency relationship. What is your view of the relationship between intelligence and delinquency? Support your view
What will be an ideal response?
• Hirschi and Hindelang revived interest in the association between IQ and delinquency in the 1970s; they concluded that IQ tests are a valid predictor of intelligence and that "the weight of evidence is that IQ is more important than race and social class" for predicting delinquent involvement.
• They argued that a low IQ increases the likelihood of delinquent behavior through its effect on school performance: youths with low IQs do poorly in school, and school failure and academic incompetence are highly related to delinquency.
• Wilson and Herrnstein concluded that a clear and consistent link exits between criminality and low intelligence—criminals seem, on the average, to be a bit less intelligent and to have a different set of intellectual strengths and weaknesses than do noncriminals as a group.
• Contemporary research efforts have continued to uncover an association between low IQ scores and antisocial behavior.
• Scores on intelligence tests have been used to predict violent behavior and to distinguish between groups of violent and nonviolent offenders. In addition to these micro-level studies, others using macro-level state and county data have found that IQ and delinquency rates are associated.
• A number of research projects have found evidence that states and counties whose residents have higher IQs experience lower crime rates than those with less-intelligent residents.
• Those experts who believe that IQ may have a direct influence on the onset of delinquent involvement argue that the key linkage between IQ and delinquency is the ability to manipulate abstract concepts.
• Low intelligence limits adolescents' ability to "foresee the consequences of their offending and to appreciate the feelings of victims.".
• Youths with limited intelligence are more likely to misinterpret events and gestures, act foolishly, take risks, and engage in harmful behavior.
• Student responses will vary.
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Which is not one of the factors that may be used to determine whether a form of scientific evidence is reliable?
a. It has no known or potential rates of error b. It has been subjected to peer review c. It has been subjected to testing d. It has standards controlling application of the techniques involved
If the defense had to disclose evidence to the prosecution, the privilege against self-incrimination would be rendered meaningless.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
If one of two robbers kills the store clerk when the clerk hesitates to hand over the money, the non-shooter would
(a) be guilty of murder under the felony-murder rule. (b) be guilty of murder under the vicarious-liability rule. (c) be guilty of murder under the provocative-act rule. (d) not be guilty of murder.
Which of the following occurs when the researcher chooses nonequivalent groups for comparison?
a. Selection inaccuracy b. Selection bias c. Selection prejudice d. Selection preference