Criminal Behaviour - Knowledge And Understanding Of The Characteristics Of Criminal Behaviours

Question 1

What is crime?

Answer 1

Crime is any act that violates the law and results in punishment from the state.

Question 2

Why is crime a social construct?

Answer 2

Laws are dependant on each society and the social context in which these behaviour takes place. Laws are based around the social norms of the society.

Question 3

What did Farr and Gibbons (1990) suggest the 7 different categories of criminal behaviour were?

Answer 3

Property predatory crime
Property fraudulent crime
Interpersonal violence (general)
Interpersonal violence (sexual)
Transactional vice
Order disruption
Folk/mundane crime

Question 4

What is Property predatory crime?

Answer 4

Persons are involved in attempting to or actually taking the personal property of others without permission

Question 5

Give an example of Property predatory crime

Answer 5

Theft or burglar

Question 6

What is Property fraudulent crime?

Answer 6

Persons are involved in deceit or manipulation with the purpose of converting property or services of others to their own ise

Question 7

Give an example of Property fraudulent crime

Answer 7

Embezzlement, identity theft, forgery

Question 8

What is Interpersonal violence (general)?

Answer 8

Persons are involved in actions that threaten or cause actual personal harm

Question 9

Give an example of Interpersonal violence (general)

Answer 9

Murder, assault, battery

Question 10

What is Interpersonal violence (sexual)?

Answer 10

Persons are involved in actions that threaten or cause actual personal harm and contain a sexual element.

Question 11

Give an example of Interpersonal violence (sexual)

Answer 11

Rape, sexual assault

Question 12

What is Transactional vice?

Answer 12

Persons are involved in “victimless” offences where there is a willing exchange of goods or services.

Question 13

Give an example of Transactional vice

Answer 13

Drug dealing

Question 14

What is Order disruption?

Answer 14

Persons are involved in actions where there is no direct victim, but concert is raised about potential victims.

Question 15

Give an example of Order disruption

Answer 15

Protesting

Question 16

What is Folk/Mundane crime?

Answer 16

This type of crime tends to foster public ambivalence and the public generally regards such acts as an inconvenience or nuisance rather than a crime.

Question 17

Give an example of Folk/Mundane crime

Answer 17

Fishing without a licence, minor speeding, parking

Question 18

How does the Office of National Statistics (ONS) categorise criminal behaviour?

Answer 18

They categorise criminal behaviour into 2 categories:
- Victim-based crimes
- Crimes against society

Question 19

Why is it difficult for psychologists to study criminal behaviour?

Answer 19

Some crimes are considered to be relatively “normal” in some cultures. The “normality” of crime can make it difficult to gain a valid measurement and understanding of criminal behaviour.

Question 20

What is the issue with categorising crime?

Answer 20

Any theory of crime is very unlikely to encompass all criminals. Many theories attempt to explain crimes revolving around violence and aggression as it is deemed a universal crime. However, it is is important to note that there are more difference between criminals than similarities.

Question 21

Why is crime being a social construct a challenge for psychologists?

Answer 21

What is criminal seems to be constantly