Theme E: Key Terms & Refs

Question 1

Addiction

Answer 1

Being dependent on a particular substance; can be a cause of crime (eg stealing money to pay for illegal drugs).

Question 2

Community service

Answer 2

Punishment involving the criminal doing a set number of hours of physical labour/work in their local community.

Question 3

Corporal punishment

Answer 3

Punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal.

Question 4

Crime

Answer 4

Action which breaks the law; can be against the person (eg murder), against property (eg vandalism), or against the state (eg treason).

Question 5

Death penalty

Answer 5

Capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state.

Question 6

Deterrence

Answer 6

Aim of punishment; the threat of punishment as a way to put a person off committing crime (eg knowing they could go to prison if they steal)

Question 7

Evil intentions

Answer 7

Having the desire to deliberately cause suffering or harm to another.

Question 8

Forgiveness

Answer 8

Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on.

Question 9

Greed

Answer 9

Reason for committing crime – wanting or desiring something or more of something.

Question 10

Hate crime

Answer 10

A crime committed because of prejudice views about a person or group.

Question 11

Prison

Answer 11

A form of punishment where a criminal is locked in a secure guarded building for a period of time.

Question 12

Law

Answer 12

The rules a country demands its citizens follow, the breaking of which leads to punishment.

Question 13

Mental illness

Answer 13

A medical condition that can cause changes to a person’s behaviour; can be a cause of crime.

Question 14

Murder

Answer 14

Unlawfully killing another person.

Question 15

Poverty

Answer 15

The state of being without the things needed for a reasonable quality of life; can be a cause of crime.

Question 16

Principle of utility

Answer 16

The concept of acting out of the greater good for the most people. (eg removing a dangerous criminal from society in order to protect others).

Question 17

Reformation

Answer 17

Aim of punishment; helping the criminal see how and why their behaviour was wrong, so that their mindset changes for the better.

Question 18

Retribution

Answer 18

Aim of punishment; getting the criminal back for their crimes.

Question 19

Sanctity of life

Answer 19

Belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals.

Question 20

Theft

Answer 20

Taking something without the owner’s consent.

Question 21

Unjust law

Answer 21

A legal requirement within a society that is believed to be unfair; a cause of crime if a person believes they cannot follow (or must act against) a law they believe is unjust.

Question 22

Upbringing

Answer 22

The environment a child lives in, and the instructions they receive, while they are growing up; can be a cause of crime.

Question 23

5 Key Refs

Answer 23

• ‘turn the other cheek’
• ‘he who is without sin [i.e. no one] can cast the first stone’
• ‘God will forgive us our sins.’
• ‘God will judge his people.’
• ‘I was in prison, and you visited me.’