1.1 Criminal Behaviour and Deviancy Flashcards
Definition of Crime
An act or commission which constitutes an offence is
punishable by law.
Definition of Deviance
The fact or state of diverging from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviour.
What are Norms?
Norms are social expectations that guide the way that society behaves. They help keep deviant behaviour in check.
Example of A Norm?
In the UK it is tradition to wear black at a funeral, in China they traditionally wear white.
What are Moral Codes?
Moral codes are good ways of behaving. Breaking a moral code would be considered serious in society.
Example of A Moral Code?
You must respect life and not kill someone.
What are Values?
Values are rules shared by most people in a culture or religion. It is what people feel should happen but are more guidelines than norms or moral codes.
Example of A Value?
Respecting the elderly/holding the door open for someone/saying please and thank you.
What is Criminal Behaviour?
An act that is deemed by statue or by the common law to be a public wrong and is therefore punishable by the state in criminal proceedings.
Social Definition of Criminal Behaviour?
An act which goes against the social norms of society.
What type of crime may vary according to different culture?
Public Intoxication
An example of criminal behaviour that may differ in terms of a Social Definition according to generations.
Hate Crime
What is a sanction?
A penalty for deviance against rules/law.
What is a Formal Sanction?
Imposed by official bodies i.e. police, courts, schools.
What is an Informal Sanction?
Used when the rules are not formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’.
