1.1 Compare criminal behaviour and deviance Flashcards
What is the definition of criminal behaviour?
Criminal behaviour refers to actions that violate the law and are punishable by the legal system.
What is the definition of deviance?
Deviance refers to behaviour that goes against social norms or expectations, but it is not necessarily illegal.
Can an act be both criminal and deviant? Give an example.
Yes. For example, murder is both criminal (illegal) and deviant (socially unacceptable).
Can an act be deviant but not criminal? Give an example.
Yes. For example, talking loudly in a library is socially unacceptable (deviant) but not illegal.
Can an act be criminal but not deviant? Give an example.
Yes. Speeding is illegal but widely accepted and not necessarily seen as deviant.
What are formal sanctions?
Punishments enforced by legal authorities, such as fines, imprisonment, or community service.
What are informal sanctions?
Social reactions like disapproval, ridicule, or exclusion for deviant behaviour.
What is an example of a historically relative crime?
Homosexuality was illegal in the UK until 1967 but is now legal and socially accepted.
What is an example of a culturally relative crime?
Polygamy is legal in some countries but illegal in the UK.
What is the difference between absolute deviance and relative deviance?
Absolute deviance is behaviour considered wrong in all societies (e.g., murder), while relative deviance depends on the culture, time, and social norms.
