Definition Of Criminal And Deviant Flashcards
What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviant behaviour?
Criminal behaviour breaks the law and is punishable by the state whereas deviant behaviour goes against the norms, values and moral codes of society.
Criminal behaviour social definition
If society labels something as ‘criminal’ then it becomes one. This leads to different laws in different countries.
In our society, some crimes are universally disproved of such as sex offenders particularly those involving children. However the social definition of ‘criminal’ is difficult to define as it can vary between different cultures.
Criminal legal defintion
In our society our legal system defines a crime through the use of rules and sanctions. In law a crime must have two elements; an actus reus (guilty act) and a mens reus (guilty mind).
Custodial Sentence
Where you are immediately sent to prison. They are mandatory and discretionary life sentences, fixed terms and intermediate prion sentences.
Community sentence
unpaid work, probation, curfew, drug testing and treatment
Fines and Financial Penalties
Amount depends on the seriousness of the offence and the financial circumstances of the offender
Discharge
Can be either…
conditional: If the defendant reoffends during a set period the court can give an alternative sentence.
Or absolute: when no penalty is imposed if the defendant is technically guilty not morally blameless
Norms
They explain why people do what they do and it differs in cultures. Norms keep in check criminal behaviour.
Values
Rules that are shared by people in a culture - more general guidelines.
Moral Codes
Breaking a moral code would be classified as serious in society
Informal Sanctions against deviant behaviour
Frowning
Namecalling
Ignoring
Labeling
Parent grounding
Formal sanctions against criminal behaviour
Fines and Imprisonment
Formal Sanctions
They are bound strict rules and are mandatory
Informal sanctions
They are more flexible than formal sanctions and are given on an individual level
What is admired deviant behaviour and give an example
Behaviour that violates social norms but would be considered admirable or a positive act.
Example: risking your life to save someone elses
