AC1.1 Compare Criminal Behaviour And Deviance

Question 1

Definition of deviance

Answer 1

An act that goes against the norms and values of society. All acts are unacceptable, but not all acts are criminal

Question 2

Definition of norms and values

Answer 2

Norms - the behaviour that is ‘normal’ and seen as acceptable

Values - the beliefs of why the behaviour is ‘normal’

Question 3

3 types of deviance

Answer 3

1. Odd deviance - behaviour that goes against norms of society. E.g full-face tattoos / piercings
2. Admired deviance - behaviour that is seen as good or selfless. E.g Kay Gilderdale helped her daughter die via assisted suicide. While illegal it was considered the correct thing to do
3. Bad deviance - behaviour and acts which are criminal. Not all criminal acts are considered deviant, such as piracy and cannabis

Question 4

Legal and social definition of crime

Answer 4

Legal - An act punishable by law, as forbidden by statute

Social - An act is criminal if it is labelled as unacceptable or as a crime by society

Question 5

Socially constructed crime

Answer 5

When an act is considered so socially deviant that society pushes for it to be criminal

E.g new laws were created for revenge porn under the criminal justice and courts act 2015

The acts that are perceived as criminal and people that are perceived as deviant are socially constructed

Question 6

3 elements of a crime

Answer 6

• A guily act / Actus Reas
• A guily mind / Mens Rea
• No defence

Question 7

Lawful killing

Answer 7

A killing is considered lawful as it is required as part of a job

• e.g conjoined twins Jodie and Mary
• parents didn’t give consent, so it was took to court
• twins were separated which killed Mary, however both would’ve died if not

Question 8

2 examples of criminal defences

Answer 8

Insanity - Yorkshire ripper 1891
- Peter Sutcliffe

Question 9

Definition of social control

Answer 9

How crime is managed in society e.g sanctions

Question 10

Definition of formal and informal social control

Answer 10

Formal - crimes controlled through sanctions given by police or the court

Informal - deviant acts controlled by the reactions of individuals, which bring about conformity to norms and laws (e.g peer pressure, ridicule)

Question 11

Formal controls - police sanctions

Answer 11

• cautions - warnings given by police for minor, first-time offences
• conditional cautions - rules/restrictions that need to be followed, or you will be charged (e.g getting treatment for drug abuse)
• penalty notice - fine issued for minor offences (e.g shoplifting). You can go to trial if you disagree with the penalty

Question 12

Formal controls - court sanctions

Answer 12

• custodial sentence - serious offences punished with imprisonment or detention for young offenders
• community sentence - served in community rather than jail. (community payback, probation orders)
• fines - financial penalties that depend on severity of the crime. Can be payed in installments
• conditional discharge - if no further offences are committed in a time period, they won’t be sentenced
• unconditional discharge - the defendant is guilty but punishment isn’t appropriate/deserved