Unit 2 - Criminological Theories - 1.1 Compare criminal behaviour and deviance Flashcards
Define values
general principles or guidelines about how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong.
Define norms
Norms are the specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in specific situations.
Give an example of a value found in all societies
Respect of human life
Give an example of a value found in traditional societies
duty of individuals to share their wealth with everyone/respect for elders
What is a moral code?
Term used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group or society
What is included in the Police code of ethics?
Accountability, integrity, openness, fairness, leadership, respect, honesty, objectivity and selflessness.
Defining Deviance
What Is deviance?
Any behaviour that differs from the normal. In other words, it is behaviour that is unusual, uncommon or out of the ordinary.
Forms of deviance:
Give examples of behaviour that is;
- unusual or good
- unusual or bizarre
- behaviour that is unusual or bad
- risking your own life to save someone else’s
- talking to trees
- attacking someone for no reason
Why do societies have different ideas about deviance?
Different societies have different norms. FGM is normal in some societies and therefore is not deviant but in British society FGM is wrong and is generally seen as deviant.
Formal and Informal sanctions
What is meant by formal sanctions?
Sanctions imposed by official bodies such as police, courts and schools. They are punishments for breaking formal rules or laws.
What is meant by informal sanctions?
Used when rules are not formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’. When someone breaks these rules others show their disapproval in informal ways, such as telling someone off.
Give an example of a positive sanction
Rewards for behaviour that society approves of eg class charts positive or award
What is meant by social control?
All sanctions, positive or negative are forms of social control. These are ways in which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to social norms.
The legal definition of criminal behaviour
What is ‘Actus Reus’?
Latin for ‘guilty act’
What does ‘Mens Rea’ mean?
Latin for ‘Guilty mind’
What Is strict liability?
It means that the criminal act is enough to secure a conviction for someone, Mens Rea is not needed
Why would self-defence mean that an act is not a crime?
Assaulting someone with the intent to harm is usually a criminal act but in self-defence it is not a crime if reasonable force is used
The social definition of criminal behaviour
Give an example of a harmful act that is not criminal
low levels of pollution