Compare Criminal and Deviant Behaviour (AC1.1)

Question 1

What is the legal definition of a crime?

Answer 1

A deliberate act that causes physical or psychological harm,damage to or loss of property and is against the law. For example murder,armed robbery,underage drinking,assault,theft and rape.

Question 2

What is the definition Actus Reus?

Answer 2

Actus Reus is Latin for “a guilty act”.

Question 3

What is the definition of Mens Rea?

Answer 3

Mens Rea means “a guilty mind”.

Question 4

For a court to consider a defendant’s action to be a crime what two elements must the action have?

Answer 4

In order to be guilty of a crime both Actus Reus and Mens Rea must be present. This is because the defendant must have done something that law forbids and they must have done it with bad intentions.

Question 5

What is the definition of strict liability?

Answer 5

Sometimes the wrongful act on its own is enough to convict someone. Even if you didn’t intend to do wrong sometimes it is still a crime. For example driving with insurance (Mens Rea for a crime does not have to be present).

Question 6

What is the definition for self-defence?

Answer 6

Assaulting someone when it is self-defence is not a crime so long as the force was reasonable in a situation.

Question 7

What are the exceptions to requiring Actus Reus and Mens Rea?

Answer 7

Strict liability and self-defence.

Question 8

What is the definition of a formal sanction?

Answer 8

Ones imposed by official bodies such as the police,courts,schools and other institutions. They are punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. For example schools may exclude pupils for bullying or courts may fine an offender for theft.

Question 9

What is the definition of summary offences and what sanctions are received?

Answer 9

These are the less serious offences heard in the magistrates court. For example speeding,drunk and disorderly and minor criminal damage. The types of sanctions received for this offence are fines,points on drivers licence and community service.

Question 10

What is the definition of triable/either-way offences and what sanctions are received?

Answer 10

These are the “in between” crimes which can be tried in either the magistrates or the crown court. For example theft,burglary and drug offences. The types of sanctions received for this crime are short term sentences and community service.

Question 11

What is the definition for indictable offences and what sanctions are received?

Answer 11

The most serious crimes which are tried in the crown court. For example murder,rape and arson. The types of sanctions that are received are long term sensitive.

Question 12

What is the definition of a custodial sentence?

Answer 12

A sentence of imprisonment for a period of time set by the court.

Question 13

What is the definition of community sentences?

Answer 13

Non custodial punishments where offenders serve their sentence in the community.

Question 14

What is the definition of conditional discharge?

Answer 14

Where an offender is released without immediate punishment but if they commit another offence in a specified period they can be resentenced for the original offence.

Question 15

What is the definition of a caution?

Answer 15

A formal warning given to the offender by the police for a minor offence.

Question 16

What is the definition of a conditional caution?

Answer 16

A type of police sanction for offenders who have committed low level crime allowing the offender to avoid court if they admit to the offence and agree to certain conditions.

Question 17

What is the definition of an exclusion order?

Answer 17

A court order that prohibits an offender from entering certain locations for a set period.

Question 18

What is the social definition of a crime?

Answer 18

Depending on where you live and the societal norms and values of a crime can differ meaning that what is classed as a crime in some places and cultures may not be in others. For example abortion,drugs,homosexuality,age of consent,drinking age and guns.

Question 19

What is the definition of deviance?

Answer 19

An action that goes against society’s norms and values and are seen as “unacceptable” or frowned upon in society. For example pushing in a queue,not indicating when driving,driving to slow and adultary/cheating.

Question 20

What is the definition of norms?

Answer 20

Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in a particular situation. For example wearing clothes in public.

Question 21

What is the definition of values?

Answer 21

General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives, they tell us what is right or wrong and what is good and bad for us. For example monogamy and adultary/cheating.

Question 22

What is the definition of moral codes?

Answer 22

Known as the ethical codes or codes of ethics used to describe a set of basic rules,values and principles held by an individual group,organisation or society as a whole. For example the ten commandments.

Question 23

What three basic behaviours come together as a form of deviance?

Answer 23

Odd,admired and bad behaviour.

Question 24

What is the definition of odd behaviour?

Answer 24

Deviant by being odd or different from the considered norm. For example hording items.

Question 25

What is the definition of admired behaviour?

Answer 25

Deviant but considered good or admirable behaviour. For example underage drinking.

Question 26

What is the definition of bad behaviour?

Answer 26

Deviant because it is bad or poor. For example adultary/cheating.

Question 27

What is the definition of formal sanctions?

Answer 27

Ones imposed by official bodies such as the police,courts,schools and other institutions. They are punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. For example detentions and prison sentences.

Question 28

What is the definition for informal sanctions?

Answer 28

Used where the rules are not formally written down or perhaps “unspoken”. For example frowning upon behaviour and name calling.