chapter 1, crime and criminology

Question 1

criminology

Answer 1

scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behaviour

Question 2

interdisciplinary

Answer 2

involving two or more academic fields

Question 3

utilitarianism

Answer 3

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

Question 4

classical criminology

Answer 4

1. people have free will to choose crime or convention
2. people choose to commit crimes based on greed/personal need
3. crime can only be controlled by fear of criminal sanctions

Question 5

positivism

Answer 5

uses scientific method of natural sciences and suggests that human behaviour is a product of social, biological, psychological, or economic forces

Question 6

bio social theory

Answer 6

focuses on interaction between biological and social factors as they relate to crime

Question 7

sociological criminology

Answer 7

focuses on relationship between social factors and crime
based on Quetelet and Durkheim

Question 8

anomie

Answer 8

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

Question 9

chicago school

Answer 9

group of urban socialists who studied the relationship between environmental conditions and crime

Question 10

socialization

Answer 10

process of human development and enculturation, influenced by key social processes and institutions

Question 11

conflict theory

Answer 11

view that human behaviour is shaped by interpersonal conflict and that those who maintain social power will use it to further their own ends

Question 12

rational choice theory

Answer 12

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

Question 13

social structure theory

Answer 13

view that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime

Question 14

valid

Answer 14

actually measuring what one intends to measure;relevant

Question 15

reliable

Answer 15

producing consistent results from one measurement to another

Question 16

white collar crime

Answer 16

illegal acts that capitalize on a persons status in market place
includes theft, embezzlement, fraud, market manipulation, price fixing, false advertising

Question 17

penology

Answer 17

focuses on correction and control of criminals

Question 18

rehabilitation

Answer 18

treatment of criminals aimed at preventing future criminal behaviour

Question 19

capital punishment

Answer 19

execution of criminals; death penalty

Question 20

mandatory sentences

Answer 20

requirement that a certain penalty shall be carried out in all cases of conviction for a specified offence

Question 21

victimology

Answer 21

study of victims role in criminal events

Question 22

deviance

Answer 22

behaviour not in social norm, not criminal

Question 23

crime

Answer 23

an act deemed socially harmful/dangerous that is defined, prohibited, and punished under criminal law

Question 24

consensus view

Answer 24

belief that majority of citizens share common values, agree on which behaviours are criminal

Question 25

criminal law

Answer 25

written code that defines crimes and their punishments

Question 26

conflict view

Answer 26

belief that criminal behaviour is defined by those in power to protect and advance their own self interest

Question 27

interactionist view

Answer 27

belief that those with social power are able to impose their values on society as a whole, these values define criminal behaviour

Question 28

code of hammurabi

Answer 28

first written legal code, developed in Babylonia in 1780 BC

Question 29

mosaic code

Answer 29

laws of ancient Israelites, found in old testament of the Judeo-Christian bible

Question 30

precedent

Answer 30

rule derived from previous judicial decisions and applied to future cases; basis of common law

Question 31

common law

Answer 31

early english law developed by judges, because standardized law in England and eventually formed basis of Canadian criminal law

Question 32

statutory crimes

Answer 32

crimes defined by legislature in response to changing social conditions, public opinion, and custom

Question 33

summary conviction offence

Answer 33

a minor offence punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, six months in jail, or both

Question 34

indictable offence

Answer 34

a serious offence punishable with maximum prison terms ranging from 2 years to life

Question 35

hybrid offence

Answer 35

offence where crown attorney decides whether to try case as minor summary conviction or indictable offence

Question 36

actus reus

Answer 36

an illegal or guilty act, affirmative (killing) or failure to act when legally required to

Question 37

mens rea

Answer 37

a guilty mind, intent to commit a crime

Question 38

absolute liability crimes

Answer 38

illegal acts where guilt does not depend on intent or mens rea, usually acts that endanger public welfare (violations of health and safety)

Question 39

excuse defence

Answer 39

criminal defence based on lack of criminal intent (mental disorder, automatism, intoxication, or ignorance)

Question 40

justification defence

Answer 40

defence that claims an illegal action was justified by circumstances therefore not criminal (necessity, duress, self-defence, entrapment)