Criminology unit 2 1.1

Question 1

What is the legal definition of crime?

Answer 1

Created by the legal system where an action breaks the law resulting in formal sanctions.

Question 2

What is actus Reus?

Answer 2

the action of a crime (guilty act)

Question 3

What is mens rea?

Answer 3

The intent behind the crime (guilty mind)

Question 4

When does actus reus and mens rea not need to be proved?

Answer 4

Strict liability and self defence

Question 5

What is strict liability?

Answer 5

the offender is still responsible for the crime regardless of intent or mental state.

Question 6

What is self defence?

Answer 6

the use of physical force in response to violence or an answer to a criminal charge

Question 7

What is meant by formal sanctions?

Answer 7

These are official punishments, will be enforced by official bodies and forms of law or codes of conduct.

Question 8

What ae the types of formal sanctions in the uk?

Answer 8

Prison (custodial sentence), community service, fines (penalty notice), cautions and suspended sentences and curfews/tagging.

Question 9

What is the societal definition of crime?

Answer 9

societies views on certain acts or behaviours and each society has their own moral code(mores) for example norms in that society

Question 10

What is deviance?

Answer 10

not conforming with normal views in society and would likely have an informal reaction or consequence.

Question 11

What is informal control?

Answer 11

unwritten rules of how we are expected to behave in society, strong reactions or disapproval and goes against societal mores.