chapter 4 Flashcards
The criminal code
a law that codifies most criminal offenses and procedures in Canada
conflict theories
theories, originating primarily with Marx. Focus on the unequal distribution of power in society.
consensus theories
society functions through social bonds and collective beliefs, and is characterized by acceptance of values, norms, and laws.
dark figure of crime
the variation between the number of crimes that occur and the number of crimes that are reported
unfounded
someone making a false accusation to do with a crime
constructionist
emphasizes the idea that life does not come with categories or labels, and we understand and define the world on the basis of our socialization and interactions.
integrationist
a combination of structuralist, positivism and constructionist approaches in criminology facilitating the inclusion of philosophy and sociology, the empirical study, its interpretation by who control and implement the law.
crime funnel
a model indicating the actual total quantity of crime is much higher than the decreasing proportion that is detected, reported, prosecuted, and punished.
compStat
a computer based, real-time mapping system that allowed tracking of serious index crimes. NYC 1990s
clearance rates
the proportion of criminal incidents solved by the police, a crime is cleared when they believe they found the perpetrator.
cross-sectional design
a snapshot of a sampled population at one time.
victimless crimes
actions that are ruled illegal but don’t directly violate or threaten the rights of other individuals
representative sample
when the characteristics of the sample mirror the characteristics of the population
memory fade
when a survey participant forgets about a victimization that has happened.
telescoping
when a survey participant recalls events occurring more recently than stated
