AC1.1 - Compare criminal behaviour and deviance

Question 1

Name the three types of deviance. Give examples.

Answer 1

Behaviour that is unusual and good - risking your life to save someone else’s

Behaviour that is unusual and eccentric - talking to trees in the park

Behaviour that is unusual and bad/disapproved of - physically attacking someone for no reason

Question 2

Give the LEGAL definition of criminal behaviour.

Answer 2

Any action forbidden by criminal law - usually involves actus reus and mens rea.

Question 3

What is actus reus?

Answer 3

Latin for “guilty act”

Question 4

What is mens rea?

Answer 4

Latin for “guilty mind”

Question 5

Give the SOCIAL definition of criminal behaviour.

Answer 5

This includes consideration of differing views of what makes behaviour criminal, whether a law is actually enforced, and whether people think certain acts should have laws made against them or not.

Question 6

What is a custodial sentence?

Answer 6

Court imposed imprisonment or detention in a young offenders institution.

Question 7

What is a community sentence?

Answer 7

Court imposed work, fines, courses, probation orders, restrictions, drug treatments and/or testing. Served outside of jail.

Question 8

What are police sanctions?

Answer 8

Cautions, conditional cautions and penalty notices (fines) issued for minor offences. No court appearance involved.

Question 9

Give three possible implications of criminal convictions.

Answer 9

Any three from:
Exclusion from certains jobs, possible placement on the ViSOR, travel restrictions, restrictions on adoption, exclusion from jury service, unable to stand for elected office, restriction on insurance cover.

Question 10

What is a summary offence? Give an example.

Answer 10

Less serious offences which are tried by a magistrate, for example speeding.

Question 11

What is an indictable offence? Give an example.

Answer 11

More serious offences with more serious sentences, tried in a crown court with a jury, for example rape or murder.

Question 12

Give an example of violence against the person.

Answer 12

Murder, manslaughter, assualt.

Question 13

Give an example of sexual offences.

Answer 13

Rape, sex trafficking, grooming.

Question 14

Give an example of offences against property.

Answer 14

Burglary, theft, robbery.

Question 15

Give an example of fraud and forgery.

Answer 15

Frauds by company directors, benefit fraud, tax evasion.

Question 16

Give an example of criminal damage.

Answer 16

Arson, vandalism, graffiti.

Question 17

Give an example of drug offences.

Answer 17

Supplying, trafficking, or possession of illegal substances.

Question 18

Give an example of public order offences.

Answer 18

Rioting, violent disorder.

Question 19

What is a norm? Give an example.

Answer 19

Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern behaviour in particular situations. For example, in the UK we tend to queue in an orderly fashion.

Question 20

What is a value? GIve an example.

Answer 20

General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. For example, respect for human life is a value found in almost all human societies.

Question 21

What are moral codes? Give an example.

Answer 21

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

Question 22

What is a formal sanction and who are they imposed by? Give an example.

Answer 22

Punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. Imposed by official bodies, for example courts or schools. Detention or a prison sentence are examples of formal sanctions.

Question 23

What is an informal sanction and who are they enforced by? Give an example.

Answer 23

Disapproval shown to a person for breaking unwritten rules. Imposed by society. For example, a verbal telling off, being ignored or excluded for social gatherings and activities.

Question 24

What is a positive sanction? Give an example.

Answer 24

Rewards for behaviour society approves of. For example praise, a medal or a certificate.

Question 25

What is social control?

Answer 25

Ways in which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to its norms.

Question 26

What are fines?

Answer 26

Financial penalties dependent on seriousness of the offence and ability to pay.

Question 27

What is a conditional discharge?

Answer 27

An offender may avoid prison if they commit no offences in a given time period.

Question 28

What is an absolute discharge?

Answer 28

Defendant is guilty but court decides punishment is not appropriate.

Question 29

What does ViSOR stand for?

Answer 29

Violent and Sexual Offenders Register.