Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Practice Exam

What perspective views women committing crimes as a form of rebellion against their traditional roles?

1. Rational Choice Theory

2. Freudian Perspective

3. Labeling Theory

4. Conflict Perspective

The correct answer is: Freudian Perspective

The viewpoint that sees women's criminal behavior as a rebellion against traditional roles aligns with the Freudian Perspective. This theory, rooted in psychoanalytic principles, suggests that psychological factors, including unconscious motivations and societal pressures, can influence behavior. In this context, women may commit crimes as a way to assert themselves against the constraints and expectations of their traditional roles in society. Such actions can be interpreted as an expression of conflict between their identity and the limitations placed on them by societal norms. The Freudian Perspective emphasizes the complexities of individual motivations and the psychological conflicts that can arise when one's desires are suppressed or constrained. This perspective allows for an understanding of crime as a form of psychological expression or a reaction to societal restrictions, particularly as they pertain to gender roles. The other perspectives do not focus specifically on the rebellion aspect in relation to traditional gender roles. For example, Rational Choice Theory emphasizes decisions made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than psychological rebellion, while Labeling Theory concentrates on the societal reaction to behavior rather than the motivations behind it. Conflict Perspective examines the broader social and class conflicts but does not specifically highlight gender roles in the same way.