Week 6: Crime & Violence

Question 1

Crime, accidents, natural disasters in the media— that present an image of society as a dangerous and unpredictable place

Answer 1

Chaos News

Question 2

A behaviour that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions

Answer 2

Crime

Question 3

Occurs when a relatively minor or atypical situation of deviance arises that is amplified and distorted by the media, police, or members of the public

Answer 3

Moral Panic

Question 4

This type of crime is based on the use of force or the threat of force. Rape, murder, and armed robbery fall under this category

Answer 4

Violent Crime

Question 5

involve the destruction or theft of property, but do not use force or the threat of force. Because of this, they are also sometimes called “property crimes.” Larceny, car theft, and vandalism are all examples of this type of crime

Answer 5

Nonviolent Crime

Question 6

Offences committed by ordinary people against other people or organizations, usually in public spaces.

Answer 6

Street Crime

Question 7

Type of crime committed by white-collar workers in a business environment.

Includes embezzlement, insider trading, and identity theft

Answer 7

Corporate Crime

Question 8

A term sometimes used for various acts that are considered crimes under the law but apparently have no victim

ex: Gambling, Prostitution, Possession of illegal contraband

Answer 8

Victimless Crime

Question 9

Attacks motivated by hate based on a person’s race, religion, or other characteristics are known as ____ ____

Answer 9

Hate Crimes

Question 10

How are criminal statistics collected in Canada?

Answer 10

By the UCR (Uniform Crime Reports Survey)

Question 11

What is the main problem with data-collection accuracy from the UCR?

Answer 11

Police are more likely to find cases and evidence of crimes that they are specifically focused on

Question 12

A collection of data acquired using voluntary response methods, based on telephone interviews

Answer 12

Self-Report Study

Question 13

What is the GSS?

Answer 13

General Social Survey on Victimization

Question 14

What is the current trend of crime rates in Canada?

Answer 14

Reported crime is on the decline. In 2012, crime reached it’s lowest since 1972.

However, only 31 percent on violent and non-violent crimes were reported to police

Question 15

What 3 major factors have contributed to the decrease in crime rates in Canada?

Answer 15

1. Age of the population; most crimes are committed by people aged 15-24. This age cohort has decreased since 1991
2. Male unemployment is highly correlated with the crime rate. Following the recession of 1990–1991, better economic conditions improved male unemployment
3. Police methods have arguably improved since 1991, including having a more targeted approach to particular sites and types of crime

Question 16

The supervision of individuals who have been arrested, convicted, and sentenced for a criminal offence

Answer 16

Corrections System

Question 17

How much more likely are Aboriginals to be incarcerated than non-Aboriginals in Canada?

Answer 17

10 times more likely

Question 18

The likelihood for people to be arrested again after an initial arrest

Answer 18

Recidivism

Question 19

Term to describe when offenders serve a conditional sentence in the community, usually by performing some sort of community service

Answer 19

Community-based sentencing

Question 20

This term focuses on establishing a direct, face-to-face connection between the offender and the victim.

Answer 20

Restorative Justice Conferencing

Question 21

This involves victims, the Aboriginal community, and Aboriginal elders in a process of deliberation with Aboriginal offenders to determine the best way to find healing for the harm done to victims and communities

Answer 21

Aboriginal sentencing circles

Question 22

These centre on healing and building community rather than retribution

Answer 22

Traditional Aboriginal Justice

Question 23

The prevalence of harmonious relationships that exists only when people obey rules, and social institutions are both controlled and predictable

Answer 23

Social Order

Question 24

The uncertain and unpredictable condition in which rules are not obeyed

Answer 24

Social Disorder

Question 25

A group or system of professional criminals who practise illegal activities as a way of life and whose criminal activities are co-ordinated and controlled through a hierarchical system of boss

Answer 25

Organized Crime

Question 26

Occurs not as a direct result of the crime, but through the response of institutions and individuals to the victim

Answer 26

Secondary Victimization examples : Refusal by law enforcement to recognize an individual’s experience as a victim of crime Intrusive or inappropriate conduct by police or judicial officers Psychological stress associated with the criminal investigation and trial process Criminal justice processes and procedures that ignore, marginalize, or discount the role and input of the victim Lack of support for victims from friends and/or the community

Question 27

This theory describes when social structure prevents people from achieving culturally defined goals through legitimate means

Answer 27

Strain (Anomie) Theory; belongs to Structural Functionalist perspective

Question 28

Argues that people are social beings who tend to imitate each other to gain acceptance and approval

Answer 28

Differential Association Theory; belongs to Social Interactionist Theory

Question 29

This person/theory argues that developing strong social bonds in childhood can prevent people from giving in to the temptation to commit criminal acts

Answer 29

Travis Hirschi's "Social Bond Theory"; which belongs to Social Interactionist perspective of crime

Question 30

What are the four elements that Travis Hirschi argued to be critical in reducing the temptation to commit criminal acts?

Answer 30

1. An attachment to other people 2. A commitment to conventional goals 3. An involvement in conventional activities 4. A belief in the legitimacy of conventional values, norms, and moral standards encouraged by society

Question 31

This theory says that deviance is not a quality of the act a person commits, rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an “offender"

Answer 31

Labelling Theory

Question 32

This theory suggests that crime and violence point to inequalities in society as the cause of deviant behaviour Criminal activity increases as inequality increases Says that norms and laws may reflect the interests of the rich and powerful

Answer 32

Conflict Theory on Crime

Question 33

This theory argues that behaviours are not innately right or wrong. They only become wrong, deviant, or criminal when someone ascribes a moral value to them

Answer 33

Social Construction of Crime

Question 34

What is a main Social Consequence of crime and violence?

Answer 34

Inequality

Question 35

What are some economic consequences of crime and violence?

Answer 35

- Losses of property - Criminal violence losses - Increase in government spending on law enforcement, corrections, court system, etc.

Question 36

What are the recognized health consequences of crime and violence?

Answer 36

- Physical pain and suffering - PTSD - Depression - Lowered self-esteem

Question 37

What are some solutions to crime and violence?

Answer 37

- Prevention of crimes - Childhood interventions - "Get tough on crime" vs. "public health" approach - Decriminalization of certain, expansion of treatment for users - Reducing social inequality - Improving education, creating jobs, providing daycares