chapter 1, crime and criminology Flashcards
criminology
scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behaviour
interdisciplinary
involving two or more academic fields
utilitarianism
a doctrine assuming actions are right if it brings happiness to the greatest amount of people. breaking the law threatens the happiness of the world, therefore punishment increases the greater happiness
classical criminology
- people have free will to choose crime or convention
- people choose to commit crimes based on greed/personal need
- crime can only be controlled by fear of criminal sanctions
positivism
uses scientific method of natural sciences and suggests that human behaviour is a product of social, biological, psychological, or economic forces
bio social theory
focuses on interaction between biological and social factors as they relate to crime
sociological criminology
focuses on relationship between social factors and crime
based on Quetelet and Durkheim
anomie
lack of norms or clear social standards due to rapidly shifting moral beliefs, people have few guides as to what is socially acceptable or expected
chicago school
group of urban socialists who studied the relationship between environmental conditions and crime
socialization
process of human development and enculturation, influenced by key social processes and institutions
conflict theory
view that human behaviour is shaped by interpersonal conflict and that those who maintain social power will use it to further their own ends
rational choice theory
view that crime is a function of a decision making process in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act
social structure theory
view that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime
valid
actually measuring what one intends to measure;relevant
reliable
producing consistent results from one measurement to another
white collar crime
illegal acts that capitalize on a persons status in market place
includes theft, embezzlement, fraud, market manipulation, price fixing, false advertising
penology
focuses on correction and control of criminals
rehabilitation
treatment of criminals aimed at preventing future criminal behaviour
capital punishment
execution of criminals; death penalty
mandatory sentences
requirement that a certain penalty shall be carried out in all cases of conviction for a specified offence
victimology
study of victims role in criminal events
deviance
behaviour not in social norm, not criminal
crime
an act deemed socially harmful/dangerous that is defined, prohibited, and punished under criminal law
consensus view
belief that majority of citizens share common values, agree on which behaviours are criminal
criminal law
written code that defines crimes and their punishments
conflict view
belief that criminal behaviour is defined by those in power to protect and advance their own self interest
interactionist view
belief that those with social power are able to impose their values on society as a whole, these values define criminal behaviour
code of hammurabi
first written legal code, developed in Babylonia in 1780 BC
mosaic code
laws of ancient Israelites, found in old testament of the Judeo-Christian bible
precedent
rule derived from previous judicial decisions and applied to future cases; basis of common law
common law
early english law developed by judges, because standardized law in England and eventually formed basis of Canadian criminal law
statutory crimes
crimes defined by legislature in response to changing social conditions, public opinion, and custom
summary conviction offence
a minor offence punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, six months in jail, or both
indictable offence
a serious offence punishable with maximum prison terms ranging from 2 years to life
hybrid offence
offence where crown attorney decides whether to try case as minor summary conviction or indictable offence
actus reus
an illegal or guilty act, affirmative (killing) or failure to act when legally required to
mens rea
a guilty mind, intent to commit a crime
absolute liability crimes
illegal acts where guilt does not depend on intent or mens rea, usually acts that endanger public welfare (violations of health and safety)
excuse defence
criminal defence based on lack of criminal intent (mental disorder, automatism, intoxication, or ignorance)
justification defence
defence that claims an illegal action was justified by circumstances therefore not criminal (necessity, duress, self-defence, entrapment)
