Critical Criminology- Exam Review
*Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026
|VERIFIED|
In critical criminology, what is the significance of the concept of “power”?
Power is central to critical criminology, as it influences who is labeled as criminal, who gets to
make laws, and who has access to ...
Critical Criminology- Exam Review
*Q&A* (100% Correct) 2025/2026
|VERIFIED|
In critical criminology, what is the significance of the concept of “power”?
Power is central to critical criminology, as it influences who is labeled as criminal, who gets to
make laws, and who has access to justice.
What does critical criminology say about the role of law enforcement in society?
Critical criminology suggests that law enforcement is not just about preventing crime, but about
maintaining social order in favor of the powerful, often through controlling marginalized groups.
How does critical criminology view the war on drugs?
Critical criminology views the war on drugs as a tool for social control, disproportionately
affecting poor communities and racial minorities while reinforcing existing power structures.
What is the role of social movements in shaping criminal justice policies?
Social movements play a critical role in challenging criminal justice policies, advocating for
reforms to address systemic inequalities, and reshaping public perceptions of crime and punishment.
How does critical criminology address the issue of mass incarceration?
Critical criminology critiques mass incarceration as a means of controlling marginalized
populations, particularly racial minorities, while serving the economic interests of private prison systems.
What is the significance of the concept of “resistance” in critical criminology?
Resistance is seen as a necessary response to oppressive systems, with individuals and
communities challenging dominant social structures that perpetuate inequality and criminalize dissent.
What does critical criminology suggest about the relationship between poverty and crime?
1
, Critical criminology suggests that poverty creates conditions of social and economic inequality,
which increase the likelihood of criminal behavior, especially among marginalized groups.
How does critical criminology address issues of juvenile delinquency?
Critical criminology focuses on how juvenile delinquency is often a result of social inequality and
how the criminal justice system disproportionately targets and criminalizes youth from marginalized
communities.
How is the concept of “social harm” viewed in critical criminology?
Social harm refers to actions or behaviors that cause harm to individuals or society but are not
necessarily labeled as criminal. Critical criminology expands the definition of harm beyond legal
definitions to include systemic and structural harms.
What role does the concept of “surveillance” play in critical criminology?
Surveillance is viewed in critical criminology as a tool of social control, often disproportionately
affecting marginalized groups and contributing to the criminalization of poverty and resistance.
How does critical criminology critique restorative justice practices?
Critical criminology critiques restorative justice practices for sometimes being co-opted by the
state to maintain the status quo, while highlighting their potential for addressing harm outside of the
punitive system.
What does critical criminology say about the policing of public spaces?
Policing of public spaces is seen as a means of maintaining control and suppressing dissent, with
law enforcement often targeting specific communities, such as the homeless or racial minorities, to
maintain order.
How does critical criminology relate to the concept of “human rights”?
Critical criminology is concerned with human rights, particularly how criminal justice policies
violate the rights of marginalized populations through practices like racial profiling and mass
incarceration.
What is the role of education in critical criminology?
2
, Education is seen as both a tool for social control and a potential vehicle for social change, with
critical criminologists advocating for education systems that challenge dominant ideologies and address
inequalities.
How does critical criminology view the criminalization of mental illness?
Critical criminology critiques the criminalization of mental illness, arguing that individuals with
mental health issues are often treated as criminals instead of receiving appropriate care and support.
What is the role of intersectionality in critical criminology?
Intersectionality is crucial in critical criminology, as it examines how overlapping factors such as
race, class, gender, and sexuality intersect to shape individuals' experiences with crime and the criminal
justice system.
How does critical criminology understand the role of punishment in society?
Critical criminology views punishment as a mechanism of social control that reinforces inequality,
often punishing individuals for societal conditions rather than addressing the root causes of crime.
What is the relationship between criminal law and social inequality in critical criminology?
Critical criminology emphasizes that criminal law is often shaped by social inequalities, with laws
serving the interests of powerful groups while criminalizing the behavior of marginalized populations.
How do critical criminologists interpret the concept of “white-collar crime”?
White-collar crime is seen by critical criminologists as a product of capitalist systems, where the
wealthy and powerful exploit their positions to commit crimes without facing the same legal
consequences as lower-class offenders.
What is the connection between critical criminology and environmental criminology?
Both approaches share an interest in how social structures contribute to crime, but critical
criminology emphasizes the broader socio-political context, while environmental criminology focuses on
the role of physical spaces in crime.
How does critical criminology approach the study of crime in a global context?
3
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