1.1 Comparing criminal behaviour and deviance Flashcards
What is a Value?
Values are general principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. They tell us right from wrong.
Example: In the UK, society place a high value on individuals accumulating personal wealth.
What is a Norm?
Norms are specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in particular situations.
Example: Cultures that place a high value on respect for elders usually have specific norms about how to speak to elders and approach elders.
What are Moral codes?
Moral codes are used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society. A moral code may be written down for example, the Police Code of Ethnics.
What is Deviance?
Any behaviour that differs from the dominant norms of a specific society.
Different types of Deviance?
Behaviour that is unusual but good - heroically saving someone’s life.
Behaviour that is unusual and eccentric or bizarre - talking to trees etc.
Behaviour that is unusual and bad - physically attacking someone for no reason.
What are Formal Sanctions?
Examples
- The processes whereby laws and rules are enforced by agencies that have been created specifically for this purpose.
- fines, exclusion from school, firing, imprisoned, arrested, parent grounding etc.
What are Informal Sanctions?
Examples
- The processes whereby informal or unwritten rules are enforced by society upon individuals.
- disapproval, refusing to speak to them, telling them off, slap, exclusion, humiliation, name calling etc.
Positive Sanctions for Deviance
Sanctions that are positive like rewards.
- medals for bravery, praise from others, achievements etc.
What is Criminal Behaviour?
Forms of deviant behaviour which involve serious, harmful acts that are against society.
What is Actus Reus and Mens Rea?
Actus Reus - ‘a guilty act’
Mens Rea - ‘a guilty mind’
What is a Crime?
An unlawful act punishable by a state or authority.
What is Social Control?
All sanctions that controls the behaviour and ensure that we conform to its norms and behave as others expect us to.
