Unit 2 AC1.1 Compare criminal behaviour and deviance Flashcards
Norms
Specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern behaviour in particular situations.
Values
General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives.
Moral codes
A set of basic rules, values and prinicples, held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole.
Formal sanction
Punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. Imposed by official bodies e.g. courts, schools etc.
Informal sanction
Disapproval shown to a person for breaking unwritten rules, such as telling off or ignoring them.
Positive sanction
Rewards for behaviour society approves of e.g praise or medal.
Social control
Ways in which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to its norms.
Actus reus
Latin for ‘guilty act’
Mens rea
Latin for ‘guilty mind’
Fines
Financial penalties dependent on seriousness of offence and ability to pay.
Conditional discharge
An offender may avid prison if they commit no offences in a given time period
Absolute discharge
Defendant is guilty but court decides punishment is not appropriate.
ViSOR
Violent and Sex Offenders Register
Defining deviance - Behaviour that is unusual and good
Such as heroically risking your own life to save someone else.
Defining deviance - Behaviour that is unusual and eccentric
Such as talking to the trees in the park, or hoarding huge quantities of old newspapers.
Defining deviance - Behaviour that is unusual and bad or disapproved of
Such as physically attacking someone for no reason.
Defining criminal behaviour - Legal definition
Any action forbidden by criminal law – usually involves actus reus and mens rea
Defining criminal behaviour - Social definition
This includes consideration of differing views of what makes behaviour criminal, whether a law is actually enforced, and whether people think certain acts should have laws made against them or not.
Formal sanctions against criminals - Custodial sentences
Court imposed imprisonment or detention in a young offenders institution.
Formal sanctions against criminals - Community sentences
Court imposed work, fines, courses, probation orders, restrictions, drug treatments and/or testing. Served outside of jail.
Formal sanctions against criminals - Police sanctions
Include cautions, conditional cautions and penalty notices (fines) issued for minor offences – no court appearance.
Formal sanctions against criminals - Other possible implications of criminal convictions
A criminal record, and depending on the crime: exclusion from certain jobs, possible placement on ViSOR, travel restrictions, restrictions on adoption, jury service, standing for elected office, or insurance cover
Acts that are criminal - Summary offences
Less serious e.g. speeding. Tried by magistrates.
Acts that are criminal - Indictable offences
More serious e.g. rape/murder. Tried in crown court with jury. More severe sentences.
Acts that are criminal - Violence against the person
E.g. murder, manslaughter, assault
Acts that are criminal - Sexual offences
E.g. rape, sex trafficking, grooming.
Acts that are criminal - Offences against property
E.g. burglary, theft, robbery.
Acts that are criminal - Fraud and forgery
E.g. frauds by company directors, benefit cheating, tax evasion.
Acts that are criminal - Criminal damage
E.g. arson, vandalism, graffiti
Acts that are criminal - Drug offences
E.g. Supplying, trafficking, or possession of illegal substances.
Acts that are criminal - Public orders offences
E.g. rioting and violent disorder.
