Crime And Deviance Flashcards
What is deviance?
Deviance is behaviour or actions that society would not view as accepted or normal.
What is crime?
Crime is defined as an act that violates laws established by society.
What does Actus Reus mean?
Actus Reus is Latin for a guilty act.
What does Mens Rea mean?
Mens Rea is Latin for a guilty mind.
What are examples of deviance?
Examples of deviance include:
* Unusual and good (e.g., heroically risking one’s own life to save someone else)
* Unusual and eccentric or bizarre (e.g., talking to the trees in the park)
* Unusual and bad or disapproved of (e.g., physically attacking someone for no reason)
What are examples of criminal behaviour?
Examples of criminal behaviour include:
* Summary offences: less serious offences, such as speeding.
* Indictable offences: more serious offences, such as rape or murder.
* Violence against the person
* Sexual offences
*Offences against property
*Fraud and forgery
*Criminal damage
*Drug offence
*Public order offences (e.g. riots)
What is the difference between formal and informal sanctions against deviance?
Formal sanctions are official punishments given by authority figures,
while informal sanctions are societal reactions to deviance.
.
What are informal sanctions?
Informal sanctions are not following unspoken rules or societal expectations, such as receiving a dirty look for skipping to the front of the queue.
What are formal sanctions?
Formal sanctions include punishments for not following written rules or laws, such as getting a speeding ticket.
What is the social definition of criminal behaviour?
The social definition of criminal behaviour varies as people have different views on what constitutes a crime.
True or False: Laws can change to reflect public views.
True
What is the meaning of norms in the context of deviance?
Norms are the unwritten rules and expectations of behavior in society.
What are moral codes (mores)?
Moral codes (mores) are the accepted standards of behavior that dictate what is considered right or wrong in a society.
What is a court sentence as a formal sanction?
A court sentence can involve imprisonment.
What are community sentences?
Community sentences include probation orders, curfews, community payback, and fines.
What is a conditional discharge?
A conditional discharge involves the offender committing no further offence for a given period.
Fill in the blank: _______ refers to the control exerted by society over individuals to conform to its norms.
Social Control
Values
Principles that guide behaviour
strict liability
when the crime is bad enough that your intention behind it is irrelevant
self defence
using a rational amount of force against someone else to protect yourself from harm
Police
Cautions-
-Warnings that the police or Crown Prosecution can give out. They are intended for low-level offending. É.g. graffiti.
Conditional Cautions-
-You have to stick to certain rules, e.g. going to treatment for drug abuse.
Penalty notices for disorder
- Can be used for minor crimes such as shoplifting. You won’t get a conviction if you pay the penalty.
Other implications
Exclusion from certain occupations (e.g. working with children)
Could be placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders register
They may be banned from travelling to certain countries
There may be restrictions on adoption, jury service and standing for elected office. It could even be a problem when buying insurance.
