ac1.1 - compare criminal behaviour and deviance Flashcards
what is the social definition of criminal behaviour?
an act that has consequences that are detrimental in some way to the community or people in it. they can be universally disapproved of (sex offences) and can vary between countries. if a society has said that an act is a crime, then it becomes on
what is the legal definition for criminal behaviour
behaviour that breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system.
what two elements must a crime have in law?
actus reus (guilty act) and mens rea (guilty mind)
list non court formal sanctions against criminals
cautions, conditional cautions and penalty noticed
list court formal sanctions
custodial sentences, community sentences, fines and discharge
describe cautions as a non court sanction
administered by the police for minor crimes. you have to admit and offence and agree to be cautioned otherwise you could be arrested for the offence. caution is not a criminal conviction
describe conditional cautions as a non court sanction
given by the police but you have to agree to certain rules and restrictions (eg. receiving treatment for drug abuse or repairing damage to a property
describe penalty notices as a non court sanction
penalty notices for disorder are fines given for offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis or being drunk and disorderly in public. only get if you’re 18 or over
describe custodial sentences as a court sanction (and the types of sentences)
where you are immediately sent to prison. mandatory (murder) and discretionary (not murder) life sentences and fixed term and indeterminate prison sentences
what is a combination order
a sentence of the court that combines a probation order and a community service order
describe community sentences as a court sanction
a combination order including unpaid work, probation, curfew and orders such as having drug testing and treatment
describe fines as a court sanction
financial penalties. amount depends on seriousness of offence and the financial circumstances of the offender
describe discharge as a court sanction
conditional (if the defendant reoffends during a set time period the court can give an alternate sentence) or absolute (no penalty imposed as the defendant is technically guilty but morally blameless)
list the 6 types of criminal act
fatal offences against the person, non fatal offences against the person, offences against property, sexual offences, public order offences and drug offences
give examples of non fatal offences against the person
assault, battery, actual and grievous (more serious) bodily harm
give examples of offences against property
theft, robbery, burglary
give examples of public order offences
riot, affray (a fight), violent disorder
give examples of drug offences
possession of a controlled drug or possession with intent to supply
define deviance
behaviour that goes against the dominant social norms of society, which causes some kind of critical reaction or disapproval
define norms
social expectations that guide behaviour and explain why people act in the way that they do. they keep in check deviant behaviour
define moral codes
morals or good ways of behaving. breaking moral code would be considered serious in society
define values
rules shared by most people in a given culture. more general guidelines than norms
give examples of informal sanctions against deviance
name calling, ignoring, labelling, grounding
give examples of formal sanctions for deviance
fines, even imprisonment if appropriate
what are the three types of deviance?
admired behaviour (deviant but good or admirable), odd behaviour (deviant by being different from the norm) and bad behaviour (deviant because it is bad)
what is an act that is criminal but may not be deviant?
keeping excess change given by mistake
