Criminology Exam Review Flashcards
Why is it important to study crime rates and trends in crime
Studying crime rates and trends is important because it helps society understand, prevent, and respond to criminal behaviour, which also helps promote safety and well-being. It also allows us to determine crime theories, and find out the severity of victimisation.
What is the UCR?
(UCR), a standardised system of classifying and counting crimes. Statistics are collected by local, county, and state/provincial law enforcement agencies, according to agreed-upon rules, and are then forwarded to a central agency
When counting crime, what does the UCR do if the criminal has committed 2 crimes at the same time, i.e. breaking and entering and murder?
The UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) system typically records the most serious offence in cases where multiple crimes occur simultaneously. In this example, it would likely be recorded as a murder.
What is considered a cleared case?
A case is considered cleared when one individual in the case is arrested or convicted
Why are violent crimes more likely to be solved?
Violent crimes are more likely to be solved because authorities spend more resources to solve them
Why do you think crime rates are higher in the west and north of Canada than in eastern and central Canada?
Because of the dense urban population in certain areas rather than others where there is more people
Examine the chart on homicide rates in various countries in the world, what do you think accounts for the difference in homicide rates between countries?
Population, economic factors play a role in the rates
What is the “dark figure of crime”? Why is it important to know the size of the dark figure of crime?
Dark figure is the number of unreported crimes
Knowing the extent of unreported crimes is crucial for accurate crime statistics, resource allocation, and public safety. Reliable data aids law enforcement in prioritizing efforts and developing effective strategies, ensuring that community needs are addressed.
List 4 instances when a victim is more likely to report a crime.
For personal gain, to rebel against the law, peer pressure,
Give 3 examples of how the police sometimes affect the data on crime.
- Solved crimes
- Unreported crimes
- Unsolved crimes
What is Deviance?
is any behaviour that violates social norms (established rules or standards of behaviour that are socially shared), and is usually of sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from the majority of society.
Deviance can be criminal or non-criminal.
When thinking of deviance it is more about the reactions of society to the act than the act itself.
What are negative sanctions
These are Expressions of disapproval for deviance.
Range from frowns and gossip for breaking folkways to imprisonment and death for breaking mores and laws.
In general, the more seriously the group takes a norm, the harsher the penalty for violating it.
What is a positive sanction?
In contrast, positive sanctions—from smiles to formal awards—are used to reward people for conforming to norms.
Examples:
Getting a raise is a positive sanction; being fired is a negative sanction. Getting an A in Criminology is a positive sanction; getting an F is a negative one.
What is relative to deviance?
also relative to time and place because what is considered deviant in one social context may be non-deviant in another
Examples: fighting during a hockey game vs. fighting in a nursing home; killing another human is considered wrong except when governments permit it during warfare or self-defense
What is Non-Criminal Deviance?
Non-criminal deviance refers to behaviors that deviate from societal norms or expectations but are not considered criminal. These actions may violate social or cultural norms but do not lead to legal consequences. Non-criminal deviance can take various forms, such as unconventional dress, unconventional beliefs, or behaviors that challenge traditional social expectations.
What is Crime
Crime refers to an act or behavior that is prohibited by law and can result in punishment by the legal system. It is a violation of societal rules and regulations established to maintain order and protect individuals and their property
Society sees most crimes, such as robbery, assault, battery, rape, murder, burglary, as DEVIANT.
But some crimes, such as littering are not deviant at all.
What are the 2 categories of crime?
Most crimes fall into one of two categories— crimes against people or crimes against property.
Crimes against property are much more common that crimes against people.
What is White Collar crime?
White-collar crime, committed by high-status individuals during the course of business
Typical white-collar crimes include embezzlement/financial fraud, bribery, insurance fraud, Medicare theft, etc.
What is computer crime and victimless crimes?
An emerging type of crime involves using computers to “hack” (break into) military, educational, medical, and business computers.
In victimless crime, all parties consent to the exchange of illegal goods and/or services. In some cases, victims may exist, but not usually.
The list of victimless crimes includes illicit drug use, gambling in most areas of the country, the use of illegal sexual materials, public nudity, public drunkenness, vagrancy, loansharking, and prostitution.
What is organized crime?
Organized crime refers to groups and organizations dedicated solely to criminal activity. Historically, leaders of organized crime, or “crime families” engage in three types of activities:
Legal activities and businesses, such as restaurants.
Illegal activities, such as importing and selling narcotics, gambling, and running prostitution rings.
Extortion of funds for purposes of “protection.”
what is the difference between criminology and criminal justice
Criminology studies the underlying causes and impact of a crime
Criminal Justice is the system within the government that focuses on all legal proceedings related to criminal law.
Criminology helps us acquire an in-depth understanding of the complexities of criminal, delinquent and deviant behaviour, as well as understanding society’s reaction to crime.
What is the main concept with deviance & crimes?
all crimes are not deviant and some deviant acts are not a crime.
What is criminology
Criminology is a body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon; it includes within its scope the process of making laws, breaking laws, and reacting to the breaking of laws.
The aim of criminology is to develop principles regarding law crime and prevention
What are the 3 myths of crime?
- Crime and violence are always increasing
- A small percentage of the population violates the law
- Most Crime involves violence
How are norms and sanctions essential for maintaining the social order?
Norms and sanctions are essential for maintaining social order because they help guide peoples behaviors and ensure that society functions smoothly.
Norms are unwritten rules that dictate how people should behave in a given society, positive sanctions are rewards or approval for following norms and negative sanctions are penalties or disapproval for breaking norms
Explain the following statement: “All crimes are not deviant and some deviant acts are not a crime.”
That statement means that not every illegal action is considered socially deviant and some deviant acts are not a crime
What was brads life like before neo-nzai involvement
His friend told him to join him in a white supremist group, and he was promised protection, brotherhood, he always felt something was missing from his life
What was Brad’s life like as a member of a hate group
He felt good about himself. Brad spent 13 years climbing the ranks to becoming the boss for the gang called Volksfront. The groups mission waas to establish a white society by excluding other racial and ethnic groups. He was at times deeply immersed in promoting white supremacy
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Where and when have far right/white supremacist groups been active in Canada?
Far-right and supremacist groups have been active in various parts of canada over the years. they have been known to organize rallies, spread propaganda, and in some cases engage in violent activities. They are in major cities and as well as some less urban areas.
Describe the girls that Campbell encountered in her research.
Anne Campbell’s research focused on girls she encountered in New York City who were part of female gangs. These girls typically came from impoverished backgrounds and had experienced instability in their family lives. Many had never known their fathers, and a significant number were immigrants from Puerto Rico. They frequently moved residences due to evictions or arson incidents, struggled to form lasting friendships, and felt disconnected from their mothers due to language barriers. Consequently, they dropped out of school early, grew up on the streets, and became involved in adult activities such as drug use and early sexual experiences, often leading to teenage pregnancies.
What was the process for a girl to become part of a gang? How might it differ from how a boy joins a gang?
To become part of a female gang, girls would usually begin as “prospects.” They had connections to the gang through friends or distant relatives who introduced them. After a trial period, they could undergo an initiation rite, which often involved fighting an established member chosen by the gang’s godmother. The primary focus during this initiation was not on winning or losing the fight but on demonstrating “heart” or courage. Unlike boys joining gangs, female gang initiations required members to prove their loyalty and willingness to fight rather than simply seeking protection.
What positives come from being part of a gang, according to Campbell?
According to Campbell, being part of a gang offered certain positive aspects to these girls. It provided them with a strong sense of belonging and sisterhood, which in addition the isolation they had experienced in their lives prior to joining the gang. The gang served as a ready-made circle of friends who shared similar life experiences and were willing to support and defend one another against external threats. Engaging in fights together got the gang members a reputation for being “crazy,” which was effective in deterring challenges and intimidation in their tough neighborhoods.
Would you expect female gangs to become as involved in criminal activity as male gangs? Why or why not?
Whether female gangs become as involved in criminal activity as male gangs can vary depending on several factors, including the specific gang, its leadership, and the social and economic conditions of their neighborhood. While both male and female gangs may engage in criminal activities, the nature and motivation behind these crimes can differ. Female gangs may primarily focus on protecting their territory, relationships, and reputation within their community, which can lead to involvement in criminal activities such as drug distribution or physical altercations.
After having learned the strain theory, social disorganization theory, subcultural theories, learning and social reaction theories, explain why a young girl might join a gang?
(Strain theory explains that people might commit crimes when they feel pressure because they can’t achieve their goals in a lawful way.) In this case the Young girls facing economic, social, or cultural strains may join gangs as a means of coping with these challenges. Gang involvement can offer economic opportunities, status, and a sense of belonging that they lack.
Explain the basics of this experiment - what did Elliot do to introduce a change in her classroom?
Jane Elliott, a third-grade teacher, conducted an experiment in her classroom to teach her students about discrimination and prejudice.
She divided her class based on eye colour. On the first day, she declared the blue-eyed students as superior, giving them privileges and treating them better than the brown-eyed students. The brown-eyed students were made to wear collars to distinguish them and faced discrimination.
On the following day, she reversed the roles, treating the brown-eyed students as superior and the blue-eyed students faced discrimination.
How did her grade 3 students respond?
The students’ behavior changed dramatically based on their assigned roles.
When they were in the “superior” group, they exhibited discriminatory and privileged behavior, enjoying the benefits and looking down on the “inferior” group.
Conversely, when they were in the “inferior” group, they felt demoralized, humiliated, and angry. They experienced firsthand the emotional turmoil of being discriminated against.
What was the impact of this experiment on these students? (refer to their reflections on it as adults).
The experiment had a profound and lasting impact on the students.
During their reunion as adults, they reflected on the emotional distress they felt during the exercise and how it changed their perspectives on racism and discrimination.
Many expressed that the exercise taught them not to judge people based on superficial characteristics and to be more empathetic and understanding.
Some mentioned how they actively teach their children not to discriminate and how the lesson has stayed with them throughout their lives.
How was this experiment applied to the employees of Iowa Department of Corrections?
The Iowa Department of Corrections hired Jane Elliott to conduct her eye color-based discrimination exercise with their employees, including prison guards and parole officers.
Participants were divided based on eye color, with one group being treated as “inferior” and facing various forms of discrimination.
The exercise aimed to make the participants experience the emotional and psychological effects of discrimination firsthand, fostering empathy and understanding for those who face discrimination in real life.
How did the employees respond?
The employees responded with feelings of frustration, anger, and helplessness. They felt trapped in the exercise and expressed that it was an unreasonable and intense situation. Some acknowledged the discrimination they felt, while others highlighted the difference between their experience in the exercise and the daily discrimination faced by black individuals.
Explain how this experiment(classroom eye color one) relates to Social Process Theories.
Social Process Theories focus on the social processes through which individuals learn to engage in certain behaviours, including criminal behaviours.
Jane Elliott’s experiment directly relates to these theories as it showcases how societal norms, prejudices, and discriminatory practices can be learned and internalised. The exercise demonstrates how easily individuals can adopt discriminatory behaviours when placed in an environment that promotes such norms.
Apply this experiment to a particular Social Process Theory that we have studied. How does it link to the main ideas of this theory? (i.e. Social Reaction, Learning Theory)
Learning Theory: This theory posits that individuals learn criminal behavior through interactions and associations with others. In Elliott’s experiment, students and employees quickly learned discriminatory behaviors based on the societal norms and rules set by the exercise. This rapid adoption of prejudiced behaviors aligns with the Learning Theory’s idea that behaviors are learned through interactions and environmental cues. The experiment showcases how easily negative behaviors can be learned when they are normalized in a particular setting.
Explain the Sociological theories of crime:
Sociological theories of crime:
-focus on the impact social conditions have on crime
-explain the reasons for differences in crime rates in the social environment
dominate criminological thinking in North America as they explain trends and patterns in crime
-Therefore a criminals behaviour is determined by their environment (reject the notion of a born criminal)
What are the three major Sociological Perspectives
1.Social Structure Theories
- Social Process Theories
- Social CONFLICT Theories
how does deviance and crime contribute to social order? (3 Ways)
- Affirms norms - what is acceptable behaviour
- Encourages social unity - “we” mentality
- Promotes social change - sometimes deviant behaviour approved (i.e. Desmond)
Explain Merton & Strain Theory
American Sociologist Robert Merton, agreed that deviance was functional but he assumes that most people are law abiding BUT when under great pressure or STRAIN, they will resort to crime.
He developed strain theory to explain how people react when their access to success (primarily financial) is blocked. Strain refers to the frustrations people feel.
According to Merton there are 2 key elements to society:
1.GOALS that people believe are worth striving for
- The accepted MEANS (way) to achieve these goals
In a stable society these two elements should be in synch but this is often not the case and leads to social strain.
What does Anomie Mean?
to describe the contradiction between the goal of monetary success and our social structures inability to provide the legitimate means to achieve it.
What are the 5 ways Merton said that people adapt to this gap between having a socially accepted goal but no socially accepted way to pursue it.
- CONFORMITY (playing the game)
- INNOVATION (illegitimate means)
- RITUALISM (inactivity)
- RETREATISM (dropping out of society)
5) REBELLION (rejection)
Explain Conformity (Playing the game)
The majority of people in society choose to conform. They pursue their society’s valued goals to the extent that they can through socially accepted means.
Explain Innovation (Illegitimate Means)
Those who innovate, pursue goals they cannot reach through legitimate means by instead using criminal or deviant means.
Explain Ritualism (Inactivity)
People who ritualize lower their goals until they can reach them through socially acceptable ways. These “social ritualists” focus on conformity to the accepted means of goal attainment while abandoning the distant, unobtainable dream of success.
Explain Retreatism (Dropping Out of society)
Others retreat from the role strain and reject both society’s goals and accepted means. Some beggars and street people have withdrawn from society’s goal of financial success. They drop out.
Explain REBELLION (rejection)
Replacing a society’s goals and means with their own. Rebels seek to create a greatly modified social structure in which provisions would be made for closer correspondence between merit, effort, and reward.
What are the 2 adaptations of strain theory
- Relative Deprivation Theory
- general Strain Theory
Explain Relative Deprivation Theory
People react negatively when they feel deprived in comparison to others, rather than in relation to a set standard.
Explain General Strain Theory
Criminality is due to negative emotional states, such as anger and frustration, which have many sources.
Who Developed Social Disorganization Theory
Robert Park
Explain Social Disorganization Theory
believe that individuals who grow up in impoverished areas are more likely to participate in deviant or criminal behaviours.
Who Developed Merton & Strain Theory
Robert Merton
What is the main idea of social disorganization theory
The condition is which the usual controls over delinquents are largely absent.
-Delinquent behaviour is often accepted by parents and neighbours
-Many opportunities for delinquent behaviour
-Little encouragement, training or opportunity for legitimate employment.
What were the 3 ways Robert Park described American cities in ecological terms
Invasion, Domination, Succession
Asserts that crime is most likely to occur in communities where this
process happens more frequently as they have weak social ties
and the absence of social control. This breakdown is caused by rapid
Industrialization, increased immigration and urbanization.
Explain the Social Disorganization Transitional Zone
Studies showed that impoverished areas with highly transient populations and adjoining industrial zones had the highest crime levels.
Park’s associate Ernest Burgess was particularly interested in the zones of transition between established working class neighbourhoods and the manufacturing district.
The city’s poorest residents tended to live in these transitional zones, where there was a mixture of races, immigrant ethnic groups, and non-English languages, and a high rate of influx as people moved in and out.
Explain Community Cohesion
In areas with a high population turnover (those transitional zones), people tend to not become involved in community activities and the institutions normally controlling behaviour (the family, school, religious organizations) are weak.
In these communities to combat crime we need to focus on programs that build community cohesion, rather than treat the individual offender.
Who Developed Community Cohesion and the Transitional Zones
Ernest Burgess
Explain Subcultural Theories
Subcultural theory is a sociological perspective that focuses on the ways in which smaller groups within a society, known as subcultures, develop their own values, norms, and behaviors that differ from the mainstream culture. Here’s a simple explanation:
In society, there are smaller groups, or subcultures, that have their own unique ways of thinking and behaving. These subcultures may emerge as a response to social issues or dissatisfaction with the dominant culture. Subcultural theory helps us understand how these groups develop their own set of rules and beliefs, often distinct from the larger society. It explores how individuals within subcultures find identity and meaning through shared values, interests, and lifestyles that may deviate from the mainstream.
Explain Millers Ideas/Theory
Miller’s theory focussed on the idea that the culture of the lower class was distinct from that of the middle class.
The culture emphasizes:
Toughness, street smarts, fate, thrill seeking, freedom from authority and rules
Conflict with the law
Violence as a means to attain status in the slum
An elevated sense of honour sometimes is lethal combat for a minor incident.
As a result boys growing up in neighbourhoods with a street culture will gravitate towards gangs.
Explain Status Frustration
Delinquent behaviour and gang membership is a way of dealing with actual and anticipated failure. They adopt crime and malicious behaviour - essentially they are changing the game to one they can succeed at, improving their status in their peer group.
Who Developed Status Frustration
Albert Cohen,
Who Developed Differential Opportunity Theory
Cloward and Ohlin.
Explain Differential Opportunity Theory
Members of the lower class share the success goals of the middle class, but lack opportunities to achieve them
Some lower class youth desire status whereas others just seek an improvement in their economic position without a change in class position
This second group engages in serious delinquent behaviour that is self indulgent and hedonistic (pleasure seeking)
What are the criticism of Social Structure Theories
In general these theories are often criticized because delinquency and crime is not concentrated among lower class groups.
- These theories overplay crime by minorities and the poor.
- Middle and upper class crime cannot be explained by these theories
What is social structures process theories main idea?
Focus on the way in which individuals become involved in crime and the role of a person’s attachment to society.
For example: how we learn anti social values = the influence of a peer group.
Explain the main idea of Learning theories
This perspective is that deviance and crime is LEARNED by people as they adapt to other people and the conditions of their environment. Essentially, they were brought up in an environment in which they learned crime as a way of life.
Explain The Learning Theory
people learn deviance and criminality.
- viewed all social behaviour as the product of modeling (imitation).
This theory also states that people commit crimes because they get reinforcements (a stimulus that increases or maintains a response, can be positive or negative) or punishment (an aversive stimulus to reduce a response).
Explain Modelling
Modeling - A means by which a person can learn new responses by observing others without performing an overt act or receiving direct reinforcement or reward.
Who Developed Learning Theory
Gabriel Tarde
Explain Differential Association Theory
- argue that criminal behaviour was learned.
- Differential Association - Individuals learn deviant behaviour from those close to them who provide models of and opportunities for deviance.
individuals in all social classes can learn to commit crimes.
The frequency (how often), duration (how long), priority (how important) and intensity (strong feelings) of one’s contacts with criminal vs. non-criminal elements determines if you select a deviant or criminal path.
Who Developed Differential Association Theory
Edwin Sutherland
Explain Social Reaction Theory (Or Labelling Theory)
Social reaction theory, also known as labeling theory, is a sociological perspective that focuses on how societal reactions to individuals can influence and shape their behavior. In simple terms, it suggests that when people are labeled as deviant or criminal by society, this label can impact their self-perception and actions.
The theory proposes that when individuals are labeled as deviant or criminal, they may internalize this label and begin to see themselves in those terms. This, in turn, can lead them to engage in further deviant behavior, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Social reaction theory emphasizes the importance of societal reactions, such as labeling and stigmatization, in contributing to the perpetuation of deviant or criminal behavior.
What is the impact of negative Labels
These theorists argue that NO act is judged uniformly, as a persons social class, age, sex, race, demeanor and situational factors all play a role as to whether the act is viewed as criminal.
