AC 1.1: compare criminal behaviour and deviance. Flashcards
What is the legal definition of crime?
Behaviour which breaks the law and is punished by the legal state.
What is the social definition of crime?
Sometimes a crime/act is labelled from ‘social interaction’ or doing wrong against a community therefore if a society says an act is a crime it becomes one
What is meant by “actus reus”?
The guilty act.
What is meant by “men rea”?
The guilty mind.
What are the two elements of the legal definition of crime?
- actus reus.
- men rea.
What are the two types of offences?
- summary
↳ less serious. - indictable
↳ more serious.
What are examples of formal non-court sanctions?
- caution.
- conditional caution.
- penalty notice.
What are examples of formal court sanctions?
- custodial sentence.
- community service.
- fines.
- discharge.
What is meant by “deviant behaviour”?
Behaviour that goes against social norms of a specific group or society which causes some kind of critical reaction or disapproval.
What is meant by “norms”?
Social expectations that guide our behaviour and can explain why people act the way they do keeping deviant behaviour in check.
What is meant by “values”?
Rules shared by most people in a culture.
What is meant by “moral code”?
Set of basic rules that are moral/ethical good ways to behave which may be considered serious in society when broken.
How can behaviour be seen due to social construction?
- admired behaviour.
- odd behaviour.
- bad behaviour.
What is meant by “admire behaviour”?
Doing something admirable, something most people would not do.
What is meant by “odd behaviour”?
Deviant by being off or different from what is considered the norm.
