Criminology Unit 2

Question 1

what are norms?

Answer 1

social expectations that guide behaviour and explain why people act in a way that they do. The “normal” way of behaving.

Question 2

what are values?

Answer 2

rules shared by most people in a given culture. it is what people feel should morally happen.

Question 2

what are mores?

Answer 2

social norms that are widely observed within a particular society or culture.

Question 3

Sutherland’s definition of crime

Answer 3

“behaviour which is prohibited by the state as an injury to the state and against which the state may react”

Question 4

legal definition of crime

Answer 4

“an act that breaks the law. this can be punished my imprisonment, a fine or community service”

Question 5

punishment for murder-

Answer 5

25 years - life (16.5 years average in the uk)

Question 6

punishment for rape-

Answer 6

4 - 19 years in custody

Question 7

punishment for paedophilia-

Answer 7

life imprisonment (SA with a child)
up to 10 years (indecency)

Question 8

punishment for litter dropping-

Answer 8

£150 fine

Question 9

punishment for GHB-

Answer 9

up to 10 years imprisonment

Question 10

punishment for black mail-

Answer 10

up to 14 years imprisonment

Question 11

punishment for dealing drugs-

Answer 11

class a drugs = up to life
class b drugs = 14 years + fine

Question 12

10 formal sanctions for criminal behaviour-

Answer 12

fines, caution, conditional caution, ASBO (anti-social behaviour orders), tag/curfew, community service, prison, restraining order, sex offender register, penalty notices.

Question 13

to prove a criminal has committed a crime they need to be found with a guilty __ and guilty __.

Answer 13

mind
act

Question 14

actus reus-

Answer 14

guilty act

Question 15

mens rea-

Answer 15

guilty mind

Question 16

most criminal offences require the prosecution to establish beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused has committed a criminal __ and that it was committed with __.

Answer 16

action
intent

Question 17

“an _ does not make a person _ unless the _ is _”

Answer 17

act
guilty
mind
guilty

Question 18

what is crime?

Question 19

what is deviance?

Question 20

deviant behaviour is not always __ __.

Answer 20

criminal behaviour

Question 21

4 types of deviant behaviour-

Answer 21

-lying
-laughing at a funeral
-talking to yourself on public transport
-dressing in a way to stand out

Question 22

5 informal sanctions for deviant behaviour-

Answer 22

frowning upon behaviour, home calling, ignoring behaviour, labelling behaviour, parents grounding children.

Question 23

what is social construction?

Answer 23

“a perspective of something based on the collective view of people within society”

Question 24

the perception of crime and law changes-

Answer 24

-from culture to culture
-over time
-according to the circumstances in which the action occurred

Question 25

what is moral relativism?

Answer 25

actions that are objectively wrong but have been viewed as acceptable based on time, context and culture.

Question 26

example of moral relativism in the natural world-
(e.g. lion)

Answer 26

includes: killing, forced mating (rape), playing with food (torture), killing those outside their herd (racism), ostracising of elderly or weak parts of the group, infanticide - killing of rival male offsprings.
–> all common, but animals are not judged by moral standards.

Question 27

is adultery illegal or legal and where?

Answer 27

legal in the UK
illegal in some USA states, Africa and some middle east countries (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia)

Question 28

why is adultery illegal?

Answer 28

due to religious/cultural beliefs –> protect sanctity of marriage as it is sacred and adultery is a betrayal of vows.

Question 29

what are the punishments for adultery?

Answer 29

fines, social stigma, imprisonment and stoning

Question 30

when did age of consent become 16 in England and why?

Answer 30

in 1885 – with the passage of criminal law
–> child protection - protecting from sexual abuse

Question 31

biological argument for age of consent-

Answer 31

puberty in girls- first menstrual cycle occurs between 12 and 13 years old.
puberty in boys- start producing semen between 9 and 14 years old.
–> if the body is ready for pregnancy then sex should be allowed.

Question 32

countries where the age of consent isn’t 16-

Answer 32

nigeria = 11
philippines = 12
italy = 14
poland = 15
argentina = 18
south korea = 20

Question 33

why is age of consent different in other countries?

Answer 33

cultural norms/traditions, religious beliefs and economic factors.

Question 34

when was homosexuality decriminalised in England?

Answer 34

in 1967 – with the passage of sexual offences act
–> only decriminalised private homosexual acts between men aged 21.

Question 35

why was homosexuality decriminalised?

Answer 35

changing social attitudes, political shifts and growing activism

Question 36

where is homosexuality illegal?

Answer 36

Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Question 37

what are the punishments for homosexuality?

Answer 37

mainly death penalty –> (pre-1967 imprisonment or even chemically castrated)

Question 38

conclusion of moral relativism-

Answer 38

-different cultures and have different values when it comes to sexual orientation or age of consent
-morality of these issues is dependent on cultural beliefs – since we do not believe that other cultures are inherently ‘wrong’
-time also plays a large role in relation to sexual behaviour – gay rights only achieving equality in law after 2010.