Topic 1.1 Flashcards
What are values?
General principles/ guidelines for how we should live our lives. They teach us the difference between right and wrong & good and bad.
What are norms?
Specific rules/ socially accepted standards that regulate people’s behaviour in specific situations.
An example of a value found in all societies
Respect for human life.
An example of a value specific to the UK and the USA
Individuals accumulating personal wealth.
An example of a value found in traditional societies
Individuals sharing their wealth with the group.
How are norms linked to values? - using an example
Cultures that place a high value on respect for elders usually have specific norms about how elders are to be approached/ addressed.
What is moral code?
Often used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation, or society as a whole.
Describe the Police Code of Ethics
A written guide to the code principles and standards that officers are expected to uphold in their work.
What is deviance?
Behaviour that differs from normal.
What are formal sanctions?
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).
What are informal sanctions?
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.
Explain of a positive sanction
Rewards for behaviour that society approves of.
- Medals for bravery/ sporting achievements.
What is meant by social control?
Society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure that we conform to its norms and behave as others expect us to.
Explain the two elements that an action must have to be considered a crime
Actus reus - a guilty act
Mens rea - a guilty mind
What is meant by ‘strict liability’?
A wrongful act on its own is enough to convict someone.
If someone has committed murder then jail time is given immediately.
Explain how self-defence may mean an act is not a crime
if assault is done in self-defence, it’s not a crime - so long as the force used was reasonable in the situation.
An example of a harmful act that is not criminal
- Swearing at someone
- Verbal bullying
- Self harm
What is an act that is unimportant but still against the law?
- Users of soft drugs
- Workers who take home stationary from the office
Explain how differing views can affect whether an act is seen as criminal
The public often have a different view of what acts are ‘really’ crimes, as compared with legal definitions of crimes.
In what way does law enforcement affect the definition of crimes?
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.
Explain how laws and law - making may be affected by groups in society
Sometimes law changes to select changes in public opinion.
Explain and give examples of the two types of offences in UK law
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)
Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- violence against the person (violence)
- murder
- manslaughter
- assault
Examples of main categories of indictable offences
- sexual offences (violence)
- rape
- grooming
- sex trafficking
