1.1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
Norms
Specific rules or socially accepted standards that directs behaviour in particular situations
Values
General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives
Moral codes
A set of basic rules, values and principles, held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole
Formal Sanction
Punishment for breaking written rules or laws. Imposed by official bodies eg courts, school etc.
Informal sanctions
Disapproval shown to a person for breaking unwritten rules, such as telling off or ignoring them
Positive sanctions
Rewards for behaviour society approves of eg praise or medal
Social control
Ways in which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to its norms
Actus reus
Latin for “guilty act”
Mens rea
Latin for “guilty mind”
Fines
Financial penalties dependent on seriousness of offence and ability to pay
Conditioned discharge
An offender may avoid prison if they commit no offences in a given time period
Absolute discharge
Defendant is guilty but court decides punishment is not appropriate
ViSOR
Violent and Sex Offenders Register
Deviance
Behaviour that differs from the norm, breaks social convention and is unusual
Crime (Legal and Social)
Legal- Action that is forbidden by the criminal law. Two key elements; actus reus and mens rea
Social- Action that breaks a set of norms
Expections to the legal definition-
Strict liability
Mens rea is not always required, the wrongful act alone can be enough to secure a conviction.
Exceptions to the legal definition-
Self-defence
Even though it’s actus reus it’s not mens rea as it’s for your own protection
Social definition of criminal behaviour; 3 points
•Differing views
•Law enforcement
•Law-making
Social definition-
Differing views
Different people have a different idea of what’s seen as a crime
Social Definition-
Law enforcement
Not all criminal laws are enforced; some are not prioritised. Inorder not to focus on crimes which will waste time
Social Definition-
Law-making
Not all acts people think should be criminal become against the law. Sometimes laws are changed depending on public opinion
Examples of formal sanctions
•Custodial sentences
•Community sentences
Summary offences
less serious, tried by magistrate
indictable offences
more serious, tried in crown court with a judge and jury
