AC1.1 understand social constructions of criminality Flashcards
What is a crime?
an illegal act that is punishable by the law
What is deviance?
acts/behaviour that go against social norms and values
What are norms?
specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in a particular situation. These differ by culture/country.
What are values?
general principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong, good and bad. Its like our moral compass.
What is a Mores?
society’s most important moral rules - those that are essential for maintaining standards of decency and civilised behaviour.
What is Social control?
all sanctions are forms of social control - the ways in which society seek to control our behaviour and ensure that we conform to it’s norms and behave as others expect us to.
What is positive sanctions?
rewards for behaviours that society approve of e.g. medals for bravery, these can be formal and informal sanctions.
What are formal sanctions?
enforced by police, courts,schools and other institutions. They are punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws e.g. courts fining offenders.
What is informal sanctions?
used for unspoken rules, when these are broken others show disapproval in informal ways e.g. refusing to speak to them.
What is actus reus?
guilty act (the criminal act)
What is mens rea?
guilty mind (the intention)
What are the 2 exceptions from an act being considered a crime or not?
strict liability
self defence
What is strict liability?
if an act is so wrongful it might be enough to convict them
What is self-defence?
when you assault someone with the intent to harm them in a reasonable situation.
What is the social definition of crime?
not all criminal acts are harmful, and it refers to the ways in which people in society determine behaviour and what they consider deviant or criminal.
What some examples of factors that can affect peoples attitudes towards crime?
Peoples view on what is a crime and what isn’t
Law enforcement’s lack of enforcement - some police prosecute other don’t to the full extent
social crimes such as the public opinion which led to stalking becoming a crime
What are the 2 serious of offence?
summary offences
indictable offences
What are summary offences?
offences that are less serious and dealt with by magistrates (95%)
What are indictable offences?
offences that require more serious sentencing, they will be tried in a crown court so they can be given a more severe sentence
What is custodial sentences?
The use of prisons, young offenders or other institutions in order to deter crimes being repeated in the future, and to punish the offender.The sentence varies depending on the crime itself and can range from a number of days to life in prison.
What is community sentences?
Sanctions that are served in the community rather than in an institution such as a prison. The offender may have a probation order or compulsory arrangements in place to attend, it can also be paying a monetary fine.
What is a conditional discharge?
the offender may not have to go to prison, but instead may be given conditions they have to follow, such as not taking part in any criminal activity, they will be convicted if they do.
What is absolute discharge?
there are some occasions where someone may be guilty of a crime, but punishment is not deemed suitable, For example self defence or an illness.
What are cautions?
these can be issued without the use of court proceedings. Usually given to people on their first offence, its not good for your profile.
What is conditional cautions?
these can be issued without the court, they include an agreed chnage such as an adiction clinic, failure to comply means being charged
What are penalty notices for disorders?
these can be issued without the court and the offender usually pays a penalty crime.
