Compare Criminal Behaviour and Deviance (AC 1.1)

Question 1

Social Definition of Crime

Answer 1

Crime is a social construct; if society labels an act as a crime then it becomes one. Just as societies vary from place to place so do crimes

Question 2

Actus Reus

Answer 2

Guilty act

Question 3

Mens Rea

Answer 3

Guilty mind

Question 4

Legal Definition of Crime

Answer 4

A behaviour that breaks the law and punishable by the legal system of an area. It should contain an Actus Reus and a Mens Rea

Question 5

Some crimes do not contain a Mens Rea. Example?

Answer 5

Food and hygiene regulations

Question 6

A crime can contain both an Actus Reus and a Mens Rea, but be excused. How?

Answer 6

Self Defence can be argued as the reason a crime was committed, e.g assaulting a home invader

Question 7

Formal sanction

Answer 7

A penalty imposed by a formal institution, e.g A court of law or police officer, for breaking formal (written) laws

Question 8

Non-court sanction: Cautions

Answer 8

A warning administered by police for minor crimes. Not a criminal conviction, but could be used an evidence of “bad character”

Question 9

Non-court sanction: Conditional Cautions

Answer 9

A waring, provided that you agree to the restrictions such as paying a fine or getting drug treatment, administered by police

Question 10

Non-court sanction: Penalty Notices

Answer 10

Fines to pay for disorderly offences, such as being drunk in public or shoplifting, given only to those 18+

Question 11

Court sanction: Custodial Sentences

Answer 11

A sentence involving prison time: mandatory and discretionary life sentences, fixed term and indeterminant prison sentences

Question 12

Court sanction: Community Sentences

Answer 12

Combination order (Probation and Community service orders) including:
-unpaid work
-probation
-curfew
-drug treatment or testing

Question 13

Court sanction: Fines

Answer 13

Financial penalties - amount to pay varies depending on seriousness of crime and offender ability to pay

Question 14

Court sanction: Discharge

Answer 14

Let go/ off. Either conditional, provided no further offences are committed in a given time period, or unconditional

Question 15

Types of Criminal Acts with Examples

Answer 15

-Fatal offence against a person, Murder
-Non-fatal offence against a person, Assault
-Offences against property, Property Damage
-Sexual offences, Rape
-Public order offences, Rioting
-Drug offences, Supplying of illegal drugs

Question 16

Deviance

Answer 16

Behaviour that goes against social norms, causing a critical reaction and disapproval

Question 17

Norms

Answer 17

Socially exepted standards that govern people’s behaviour

Question 18

Values

Answer 18

Rules shared by most people in society, (a more general guideline than norms)

Question 19

Moral Codes

Answer 19

Basic ethics upheld by a society that individual members must follow

Question 20

Informal Sanction

Answer 20

Sanctions used when an informal (unwritten) rule is broken, punishment is showcased through public disapproval of the person for their actions

Question 21

Forms of Deviance: Admired Behaviour

Answer 21

An act that is deviant, yet is considered good and is admired.
(e.g Saving someone’s life goes against most norms to “wait for a professional/ just call for help” but is an admirable act to society)

Question 22

Forms of Deviance: Odd Behaviour

Answer 22

An act that deviant because it is different from the norm
(e.g Owning loads of cats)

Question 23

Forms of Deviance: Bad Behaviour

Answer 23

An act that is deviant in the eyes of society because it is morally wrong
(e.g Not respecting an elderly person)