Compare Criminal Behaviour And Deviance

Question 1

Norms

Answer 1

Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in particular situations.

Question 2

Values

Answer 2

General principles or guidelines fer how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong.

Question 3

Moral codes

Answer 3

A set of basic rules, values, and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole.
They could be written down like the police code of ethics is a written guide e to ne core principles and standards that officers are expected to uphold

Question 4

Deviance

Answer 4

Any behaviour that differs from normal. it is unusual, uncommon or out of the ordinary in some way.it can be unusual in 3 different ways: unusual and good, unusual and eccentric/bizarre, or unusual and bad.

Question 5

Unusual and good examples.

Answer 5

Running into a burning building to save a dog
Pay it forward chain

Question 6

Unusual and bizarre examples

Answer 6

Walking barefoot
Going to the shops in pyjamas

Question 7

Unusual and bad examples

Answer 7

Murder
Cutting in the queue

Question 8

Formal sanctions

Answer 8

Imposed by official bodies such as the police. They are punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws

e.g. Fining an offender for theft.

Question 9

Informal sanctions

Answer 9

Used where rules are not formally written downand are perhaps ‘unspoken’

Someone showing disapproval by refusing to speak to them.

Question 10

Positive sanctions

Answer 10

Such as rewards for behouviours that society approves of. For example, medals for bravery.

Question 11

Social control

Answer 11

All sanctions are forms of social control. This is a way which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to its norms and behave as others expect us to.

Question 12

Criminal behaviour definition

Answer 12

In society it is the legal system that defines a crime e.g. Behaviour that breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system.
For a court to consider D’s actions a crime, the action must have actus reus and mens rea

Question 13

Strict liability

Answer 13

In some crimes mens rea is not required - the act mine is enough to convict someone. Many health and safety laws operate in this way.

Question 14

Social definition of crime

Answer 14

Differing views
Law enforcement
Law-making

Question 15

Differing views (social def)

Answer 15

The public often have a different view of what acts are ‘really crimes’ as compared with the legal definition. Therefore, the social definition must also be considered.

Question 16

Law enforcement (social def)

Answer 16

Not all criminal laws are enforced; some are low on the list of priorities for the police. For example, police may feel enforcing laws against possession of soft drugs is both unpopular and a waste of time.

Question 17

Law making (social def)

Answer 17

Wot all acts that people think should be crimes have acts against them
Which actions made illegal often depends on who has the power to influence the law-makers, such as media, campaigning pressure groups, or big businesses.
Sometimes laws are changed to reflect changes in public opinion/ with some actions being decriminalised and other, previously legal one being redefined as crimes.
For example homosexuality was decriminalised then legalised in1967 and stalking was not a specific offence until 2012.

Question 18

Seriousness of the offence

Answer 18

In the uk the law distinguishes between two main types:
- summary offences - less serious offences such as speeding (tried by magistrates)
- indictable offences - most serious offences such as murder (tried by the crown court by a jury)

Question 19

Subject matter of the offence

Answer 19

• Violence against the person - murder, manslaughter
• sexual offences - rape, sex trafficking and grooming
• drug offences - supplying or possessing heroine

Question 20

Court sanctions - custodial sentences

Answer 20

Use of prison or other institutions in order to deter crimes being repeated in the future and to punish the offender. the sentence varies depending on the crime and can vary from days to ‘life in prison’

Question 21

Court sanctions - community sentences

Answer 21

Sanctions that are served in the community rather than in an institution such as prison. The offender may have a probation order or compulsory arrangements in place to attend anger management, or community work. it can also include paying a monetary fine

Question 22

Court sanctions - conditional discharge

Answer 22

Offender may not need to go to prison, but instead may be given conditions to meet this often includes not taking part in any other criminal behaviour for a set period, on the condition that they will be convicted if they do

Question 23

Court sanctions - absolute discharge

Answer 23

Someone may be guilty of a crime, but punishment is not deemed suitable. For example, self-defence or where serious illness is a factor to be considered

Question 24

Police sanctions - cautions

Answer 24

Can be issued without court proceedings. Usually given when it is first offence is considered ‘minor' such al graffiti. A caution is not a criminal conviction but is not good for your character profile.