Topic 1: Social Constructions of crime CONDENSED Flashcards
ACTUS REA
The guilty act
MENS REA
The intent
DEVIANCE
Any behaviour that differs from what is considered ‘normal’ or deviates from the morals and values of society.
CRIME
Any action that is forbidden by the criminal law, and for which you can be punished by the legal system.
SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF CRIME
The idea that crime is a product of the situation in which it takes place (crime is dictated by what is seen as acceptable/ unacceptable at any given time/place/country.
THREE TYPES OF DEVIANCE
Admired, odd, bad
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR DEF
A form of deviance that involves serious, harmful acts that are wrong against society.
DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR DEF
Any behaviour that differs from normal but does not harm anyone or go against any formal laws.
CRIMINAL AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR
Behaviour that is both criminal and causes harm to society and one that is not considered the ‘social norm’.
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR EG
Speeding, graffiti, illegal streaming
DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR EG
Rudeness, living with 50 cats
CRIMINAL AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR EG
Murder, sexual assault, violence
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF SOMETHING HAS BEEN SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED?
Something that has been made or defined by society, rather than simply occurring naturally.
GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE SOMETHING IS CRIMINAL IN ONE COUNTRY BUT NOT IN ANOTHER?
FGM– Illegal in most countries, i.e. UK, USA
Legal in Bahrain