1.1 Criminality & Deviance

Question 1

What are Norms?

Answer 1

Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in particular situations (such as queueing).

Question 2

What are Values?

Answer 2

General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong, good and bad (such as respect for human life).

Question 3

What is a Moral Code?

Answer 3

A set of basic rules, values, and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole (such as the police code of ethics).

Question 4

What is deviance?

Answer 4

Deviance is any behaviour that differs from normal. It is behaviour that is unusual, uncommon or out of the ordinary in some way.

Question 5

What are the 3 types of deviance?

Answer 5

Unusual & good
Unusual & odd
Unusual & bad

Question 6

Give an example of deviance which is unusual and good.

Answer 6

Risking your own life to save someone else’s life.

Question 7

Give an example of deviance which is unusual and odd.

Answer 7

Talking to a tree.

Question 8

Give an example of deviance which is unusual and bad.

Answer 8

Physically attacking someone for no reason.

Question 9

What is a formal sanction? (plus example)

Answer 9

Imposed by official bodies such as the police, courts, schools and other institutions.

They are punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws.

Example: schools may exclude pupils for bullying or courts may fine an offender for theft.

Question 10

What is a informal sanction? (plus example)

Answer 10

Used where the rules are not formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’.

Example: People might show their disapproval by telling them off or refusing to speak to them.

Question 11

What is a positive sanction? (plus example)

Answer 11

They can also be positive, such as rewards for behaviour that society approves of.

Examples: Medals for bravery or sporting achievements, Praise from a parent or teacher - They can be formal or informal.

Question 12

What is a negative sanction? (plus example)

Answer 12

Actual or threatened punishments.

Examples: Prison sentence, telling someone off, being excluded from school - They can be formal or informal.

Question 13

Explain how sanctions are a form of social control.

Answer 13

All sanctions, formal or informal, positive or negative, are forms of social control.

This is a way which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we confirm to its norms and behave as others expect us to.

Question 14

Legal definition of crime

Answer 14

Behaviour that breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system.

For a court to consider a defendant’s action to be a crime, the action must normally have two elements:

Actus reus = ‘guilty act’
Mens rea = ‘guilty mind’

Question 15

In what situation is mens rea not required?

Answer 15

In strict liability cases: when the guilty act itself (actus reus) is enough to convict someone of a crime.

For example, negligent driving that causes an accident is a guilty act, whether someone intended to be negligent or not.

Question 16

Social definition of crime.

Answer 16

Refers to the ways in which people in society determine behaviour to be acceptable or not, and as criminal or not.

There are 3 factors that can influence this:
-Differing views
-Law enforcement
-Law-making

Question 17

Give examples of crimes which are classed as “violence against a person”

Answer 17

Murder and manslaughter.

Question 18

Give examples of crimes which are classed as “offences against the property”

Answer 18

Burglary, theft and robbery.

Question 19

Give examples of crimes which are classed as “public order offences”

Answer 19

Riot and violent disorder.

Question 20

Summary offences

Answer 20

Less serious, such as speeding.

They are tried by magistrates. (Magistrates are volunteers who hear cases in courts in their community. )

Question 21

Indictable offences

Answer 21

More serious offences, such as rape or murder.

They are tried in a Crown Court before a judge and jury. The sentences that can be imposed are more severe.

Question 22

What are the 4 court sanctions you need to know?

Answer 22

Custodial sentences= prison

Community sentences= e.g. probation orders, curfews, community payback, fines etc.

Conditional discharge= the offender committing no further offence for a given period. If they commit an offence during this period, the court can impose a sentence for the original offence as well as for the new one.

Absolute discharge = Guilty of a crime, but punishment is not deemed suitable (such as self-defence or when serious illness is a factor)

Question 23

What are the 3 police sanctions you need to know?

Answer 23

Cautions = warnings that can be given out by the police or Crown Prosecution. They are intended for low-level offending. E.g. graffiti.

Conditional Cautions = you have to stick to certain rules, e.g. going to treatment for drug abuse.

Penalty notices for disorder = can be used for minor crimes such as shoplifting. You won’t get a conviction if you pay the penalty. (fines)

Question 24

What sanctions, other than court and police sanctions, can a person receive?

Answer 24

Exclusion from certain occupations (e.g. working with children)

Could be placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders register (VISOR)

They may be banned from travelling to certain countries

There may be restrictions on adoption, jury service and standing for elected office. It could even be a problem when buying insurance.

Question 25

Examples of criminal but not deviant acts.

Answer 25

Illegally downloading music, speeding, littering.

Question 26

Examples of deviant but not criminal acts.

Answer 26

Talking to a tree, pushing in a queue, singing on public transport.

Question 27

Examples of criminal and deviant acts.

Answer 27

Murder, stealing, assault.