1.1 Compare Criminal Behaviour And Deviance Flashcards
Behaviour that is unusual and good
Such as heroically risking your own life to save someone else
Behaviour that is unusual and eccentric
Such as talking to the trees in the park, or hoarding huge quantities of old newspapers
Behaviour that is unusual and bad or disapproved of
Such as physically attacking someone for no reason
Legal definition of Criminal Behaviour
Any action forbidden by criminal law- usually involves actus reus and men’s rea
Social definition of Criminal Behaviour
This includes consideration of different views of what makes behaviour criminal, whether a law is actually enforced and whether people think certain acts should have laws made against them or not
Custodial sentences
Court imposed imprisonment or detention in a young offenders institution
Community sentences
Court imposed work, fines, courses, probation orders, restrictions, drug treatments and/or testing. Served outside of jail
Police sanctions
Includes cautions, conditional cautions and penalty notices (fines) issued for minor offences- no court appearance
Other possible implications of criminal convictions
A criminal record, and depending on the crime: exclusion from certain jobs, possible placement in ViSOR, travel restrictions, restrictions on adoption, jury service, standing for elected office, or insurance cover
Summary offences
Less serious e.g. speeding. Tried by magistrates
Indictable offences
More serious e.g rape/murder. Tried in crown court with jury. More severe sentences
Violence against the person
Murder, manslaughter, assault
Sexual offences
Rape, sex trafficking, grooming
Offences against property
Burglary, theft, robbery
Fraud and forgery
Frauds by company directors, benefit cheating, tax evasion
Criminal damage
Arson, vandalism, graffiti
Drug offences
Supplying, trafficking, or possession of illegal substance
Public orders offences
Rioting and violence disorder
E.g Norm
In the UK we tend to queue up in an orderly fashion
E.g value
Respect for human life is a value found in almost all human societies
E.g moral code
The Police code of ethics
Norms
Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern behaviour in particular situations
Values
General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives
Moral codes
Set of basic rules, values and principles, held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole
Formal sanction
Punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. Imposed by official bodies e.g courts, schools etc.
Informal sanction
Disapproval shown to a person for breaking unwritten rules, such as telling off or ignoring them
Positive sanction
Rewards for behaviour society approves of e.g praise or medal
Social control
Ways in which society seems 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
Conditional 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
