Topic 1.1

Question 1

What are values?

Answer 1

General principles/ guidelines for how we should live our lives. They teach us the difference between right and wrong & good and bad.

Question 2

What are norms?

Answer 2

Specific rules/ socially accepted standards that regulate people’s behaviour in specific situations.

Question 3

An example of a value found in all societies

Answer 3

Respect for human life.

Question 4

An example of a value specific to the UK and the USA

Answer 4

Individuals accumulating personal wealth.

Question 5

An example of a value found in traditional societies

Answer 5

Individuals sharing their wealth with the group.

Question 6

How are norms linked to values? - using an example

Answer 6

Cultures that place a high value on respect for elders usually have specific norms about how elders are to be approached/ addressed.

Question 7

What is moral code?

Answer 7

Often used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation, or society as a whole.

Question 8

Describe the Police Code of Ethics

Answer 8

A written guide to the code principles and standards that officers are expected to uphold in their work.

Question 9

What is deviance?

Answer 9

Behaviour that differs from normal.

Question 10

What are formal sanctions?

Answer 10

Ones imposed by official bodies such as police, courts, schools, and other institutions.

• Punishments for breaking formal written rules/ laws. (courts may fine an offender for theft; schools may exclude pupils for bullying).

Question 11

What are informal sanctions?

Answer 11

Are used where the rules are not formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’. When someone breaks these rules, others show disapproval in informal ways, such as refusing to speak to them, telling them off, a slap on the wrists.

Question 12

Explain of a positive sanction

Answer 12

Rewards for behaviour that society approves of.
- Medals for bravery/ sporting achievements.

Question 13

What is meant by social control?

Answer 13

Society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure that we conform to its norms and behave as others expect us to.

Question 14

Explain the two elements that an action must have to be considered a crime

Answer 14

Actus reus - a guilty act
Mens rea - a guilty mind

Question 15

What is meant by ‘strict liability’?

Answer 15

A wrongful act on its own is enough to convict someone.

If someone has committed murder then jail time is given immediately.

Question 16

Explain how self-defence may mean an act is not a crime

Answer 16

if assault is done in self-defence, it’s not a crime - so long as the force used was reasonable in the situation.

Question 17

An example of a harmful act that is not criminal

Answer 17

• Swearing at someone
• Verbal bullying
• Self harm

Question 18

What is an act that is unimportant but still against the law?

Answer 18

• Users of soft drugs
• Workers who take home stationary from the office

Question 19

Explain how differing views can affect whether an act is seen as criminal

Answer 19

The public often have a different view of what acts are ‘really’ crimes, as compared with legal definitions of crimes.

Question 20

In what way does law enforcement affect the definition of crimes?

Answer 20

Not all criminal laws are enforced; some come low on the list of priorities for police. e.g white collar crime are often complex, costly and time consuming. Possession of soft drugs is both unpopular and a waste of time.

Question 21

Explain how laws and law - making may be affected by groups in society

Answer 21

Sometimes law changes to select changes in public opinion.

Question 22

Explain and give examples of the two types of offences in UK law

Answer 22

summary offences - less serious offences, which are tried by the magistrates. (speeding)

indictable offences - more serious offences which are tried in a crown court before a judge and jury. The sentences that can be imposed are more severe. (rape or murder)

Question 23

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- violence against the person (violence)

Answer 23

• murder
• manslaughter
• assault

Question 24

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- sexual offences (violence)

Answer 24

• rape
• grooming
• sex trafficking

Question 25

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- offences against property (violence)

Answer 25

• burglary
• theft
• robbery

Question 26

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- fraud and forgery (dishonesty)

Answer 26

• frauds by company directors

Question 27

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- criminal damage (violence)

Answer 27

• arson

Question 28

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- drug offences (dishonesty)

Answer 28

• supplying/ possessing heroin

Question 29

Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- public order offences (violence)

Answer 29

• riots
• violent disorder

Question 30

What determines the length of custodial sentence?

Answer 30

On the seriousness of the crime

Question 31

When can prisoners serving a life sentence apply for parole?

Answer 31

After about 15 years, though courts can impose a longer minimum sentence in more serious cases.

Question 32

What is an indeterminate sentence, and when can it be imposed by the courts?

Answer 32

Ones with no specific release date.
Indeterminate sentences are given if a court thinks you’re a danger to the public.
(no longer in place)

Question 33

Some sentences that are served in the community

Answer 33

• prohibition orders
• restrictions such as curfews
• mandatory drug testing
• treatment orders and community payback (unpaid work in the community e.g cleaning off graffiti)

Question 34

What three factors determine the size of a fine?

Answer 34

1. Seriousness of the offence
2. Whether it’s a repeat offence
3. Offenders ability to pay

Question 35

Explain conditional discharge

Answer 35

Offender committing no further offence for a given period. If they commit an offence during this period, the court can impose a sentence for the original offence as well as for the new one.

Question 36

Explain absolute discharge

Answer 36

Where the defendant is technically guilty but where punishment would be inappropriate. It’s not classed as a conviction.

Question 37

What is a ‘caution’ and when is it used by the police or CPS?

Answer 37

A warning that can be given by the police/ crown prosecution service to anyone aged 10 or over for minor crimes (graffiti).
- intended for low-level, first-time offending. You must admit to the offence and agree to be cautioned.

Question 38

What is a ‘conditional caution’?

Answer 38

Must stick to certain rules and restrictions (going to drug abuse treatment).

If you break conditions, could be charged with a crime.

Question 39

What are ‘penalty notices for disorder’ and when are they used?

Answer 39

Deals specifically with disorderly behaviour and can be issued for minor crimes (shoplifting/ possession of cannabis).

Won’t get a conviction if the penalty is paid.

If you disagree with penalty notice, can go to trial instead.

Question 40

Four other implications of committing a criminal act

Answer 40

1. Exclusion from certain occupations, e.g. working with young people.
2. May be placed on the violent/ sex offenders register (ViSOR)
3. May be banned from travelling to certain countries/ require special visas.
4. May be restrictions on adoption, jury service and standing for elected office.

Question 41

Outline why some acts are considered criminal but not deviant

Answer 41

Some illegal acts are not necessarily seen as deviant.
e.g. while possessing cannabis is a crime, some do not regard it as bad behaviour.

Question 42

Outline why some acts are considered deviant but not criminal

Answer 42

Acts that some people see as deviant are not always crimes.
e.g. homosexual acts between consenting adults are no longer illegal in the UK, some people still regard it as morally wrong and hence deviant.