AC1.1- Compare criminal behaviour and deviance

Question 1

What are norms?

Answer 1

Specific rules or socially acceptable standards which govern behaviour in particular situations, these can differ in different cultures.

They become internalised when growing up in a particular culture, violating a social norm is a deviance.

Question 2

What are the 2 types of norms?

Answer 2

Explicit- which are laws.
Implicit- unwritten rules.

Question 3

What are values?

Answer 3

General principles or guidelines on how we should live our lives, we are taught these from a young age through what is right and wrong.

More general than norms and they indicate what society believes to be good and bad. Some apply to all cultures eg- respecting human life.

Question 4

What are moral codes?

Answer 4

Lists or sets of rules that an individual, group, organisation or community might live by. These can be written or unwritten.

Question 5

What is the Police Code of Ethics?

Answer 5

Rules created on behalf of every member of the policing profession of England and Wales, part of Police Act 1996.

Contain some policing principles: eg accountability, integrity, leadership and some standards of professional behaviour: eg use of force, orders and instructions, fitness for work.

Code will empower those working in policing to do the right thing and will help the public have greater enhanced trust and confidence in the police.

Question 6

What is the definition of deviance?

Answer 6

Differing from the norms of society. Behaviour that goes against the norms, values and moral codes of society. Unusual, uncommon or different to how people normally behave.

Question 7

What are the 3 types of deviance?

Answer 7

Behaviour that is unusual and good, behaviour that is unusual and eccentric/ bizarre and behaviour that is unusual and bad.

Question 8

Describe behaviour that is unusual and good + example

Answer 8

A positive type of deviance. Eg- someone jumping into a river in order to save someone from drowning.

Question 9

Describe behaviour that is unusual and eccentric/ bizarre + example

Answer 9

People may struggle to understand this behaviour, but it is not necessarily dangerous to other humans.
Eg- someone possessing 40 cats.

Question 10

Describe behaviour that is unusual and bad + example

Answer 10

Behaviour that puts people at risk or makes them feel frightened, usually involves doing something forbidden which many even break the law. Eg- threatening behaviour.

Question 11

What are the sanctions for deviance?

Answer 11

These are used when people break laws or social norms, they can be: formal, informal, positive or negative.

Question 12

What are formal sanctions + examples?

Answer 12

Actions taken by official government entities to alter the behaviour of individuals/ groups in society. The sanctions vary according to severity of crime. Eg- imprisonment.

Question 13

What are informal sanctions + examples?

Answer 13

Actions in response to someone’s behaviour that may serve to discourage nonconformity or encourage nonconformity to a norm, rule or law. Eg- ridicule, sarcasm, disapproval.

Question 14

What are positive sanctions + examples?

Answer 14

Rewards given for conforming to norms. Can be formal (eg medal) or informal (eg praise). Eg- promotion at work is positive sanction for hard work.

Question 15

What are negative sanctions + examples?

Answer 15

Means of enforcing social norms and values by punishing deviation from the norm/ established rules. Has a role in social control. Can be formal (eg prison) or informal (eg shame). Eg- social exclusion.

Question 16

What is the legal definition of criminal behaviour + 2 aspects?

Answer 16

Actions that oppose criminal law.
Must have these 2 elements: actus reus ( guilty act, the act or lack of action for a crime, mens rea is not required as act alone is strong enough for conviction) and mens rea (guilty mind, intention/knowledge of wrongdoing that constitutes part of a crime).

Question 17

What are the 2 exceptions for criminal behaviour?

Answer 17

1) Strict liability- when a defendant is liable for committing an action, regardless of their intent or mental state at time of committing action. Eg- statutory rape.

2) Self defence- applies when defendant uses necessary, reasonable and proportionate force to defend themselves or another from imminent attack. Eg- using object as a weapon to defend yourself.

Question 17

What is the social definition of criminal behaviour?

Answer 17

Not all harmful acts are criminal- eg anti pollution laws specify how much of a pollutant can be released, and many trivial/ victimless acts are still classed as crime such as the illegal downloading of music.
Every person has a different perspective on what a crime is, this can vary as a result of the person’s upbringing. Eg- someone who was brought up wealthy would class stealing food to survive as a crime whereas someone who was brought up in poverty probably would not.

Question 18

Criminal behaviour in law enforcement and law making.

Answer 18

Not all criminal laws are enforced and some are low on police’s priority- eg white collar crimes.

Actions are usually made illegal due to the power behind it, individuals may not have a huge effect but media and campaign pressure are usually the driving forces behind actions being made illegal.

Laws can still be changed as a result of public opinion- eg stalking became illegal in 2012.

Question 18

What are the 2 types of offence?

Answer 18

1) Summary offences: less serious and tried by magistrates- eg speeding, drug offences
2) Indictable offences: more serious and tried in a crown court before a judge and jury- eg rape, violence against a person.

Question 19

What are custodial sentences? (more serious crimes)

Answer 19

sentence of imprisonment for a period of time set by the court

Fixed term: certain number of months/years, parole board decides if and when a person is to be released.

Question 20

What are community sentences? (more serious crimes)

Answer 20

Alternative to prison, someone has to give back to the community through tasks like litter picking.

If someone does not adhere to community sentences, they will be increased to custodial sentences.

Question 21

What is discharge? (more serious crimes)

Answer 21

court finds you guilty but does not give you a sentence because the offence is very minor- can be conditional- person must not have committed any other offence within a certain time frame or they could face custodial sentence.

Question 22

What are fines? (more serious crimes)

Answer 22

Financial penalties: size of fine depends on crime committed and wealth of perpatrator.

Question 23

What are cautions? (less serious crimes)

Answer 23

Given by police or CPS for minor crimes by people aged 10+, individuals have to admit offence and agree to caution.

Only used for first offence, can be arrested and charge if someone does not agree with caution.

Question 24

What are condition cautions? (less serious crimes)

Answer 24

Includes other conditions and restrictions with regular caution. Eg- someone must repair the damage they caused to something.

Question 25

What are penalty notices? (less serious crimes)

Answer 25

Only apply to those aged 18+, given for minor crimes, if someone pays the penalty they will not be convicted. Given for shoplifting, drunk and disorderly.

Question 26

What are some examples of further implications of committing a criminal act?

Answer 26

Exclusion from occupations- eg working with children

Banned from travelling to certain countries or have to apply for specific visa’s.

Restrictions on adoption, jury service, standing for elected office.