1.1 Criminality & Deviance Flashcards
What are Norms?
Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in particular situations (such as queueing).
What are Values?
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).
What is a Moral Code?
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).
What is deviance?
Deviance is any behaviour that differs from normal. It is behaviour that is unusual, uncommon or out of the ordinary in some way.
What are the 3 types of deviance?
Unusual & good
Unusual & odd
Unusual & bad
Give an example of deviance which is unusual and good.
Risking your own life to save someone else’s life.
Give an example of deviance which is unusual and odd.
Talking to a tree.
Give an example of deviance which is unusual and bad.
Physically attacking someone for no reason.
What is a formal sanction? (plus example)
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.
What is a informal sanction? (plus example)
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.
What is a positive sanction? (plus example)
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.
What is a negative sanction? (plus example)
Actual or threatened punishments.
Examples: Prison sentence, telling someone off, being excluded from school - They can be formal or informal.
Explain how sanctions are a form of social control.
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.
Legal definition of crime
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’
In what situation is mens rea not required?
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.
Social definition of crime.
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
Give examples of crimes which are classed as “violence against a person”
Murder and manslaughter.
Give examples of crimes which are classed as “offences against the property”
Burglary, theft and robbery.
Give examples of crimes which are classed as “public order offences”
Riot and violent disorder.
Summary offences
Less serious, such as speeding.
They are tried by magistrates. (Magistrates are volunteers who hear cases in courts in their community. )
Indictable offences
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.
What are the 4 court sanctions you need to know?
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)
What are the 3 police sanctions you need to know?
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)
What sanctions, other than court and police sanctions, can a person receive?
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.
