Week 6: Crime & Violence Flashcards
Crime, accidents, natural disasters in the media— that present an image of society as a dangerous and unpredictable place
Chaos News
A behaviour that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions
Crime
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
Moral Panic
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
Violent Crime
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
Nonviolent Crime
Offences committed by ordinary people against other people or organizations, usually in public spaces.
Street Crime
Type of crime committed by white-collar workers in a business environment.
Includes embezzlement, insider trading, and identity theft
Corporate Crime
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
Victimless Crime
Attacks motivated by hate based on a person’s race, religion, or other characteristics are known as ____ ____
Hate Crimes
How are criminal statistics collected in Canada?
By the UCR (Uniform Crime Reports Survey)
What is the main problem with data-collection accuracy from the UCR?
Police are more likely to find cases and evidence of crimes that they are specifically focused on
A collection of data acquired using voluntary response methods, based on telephone interviews
Self-Report Study
What is the GSS?
General Social Survey on Victimization
What is the current trend of crime rates in Canada?
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
What 3 major factors have contributed to the decrease in crime rates in Canada?
- Age of the population; most crimes are committed by people aged 15-24. This age cohort has decreased since 1991
- Male unemployment is highly correlated with the crime rate. Following the recession of 1990–1991, better economic conditions improved male unemployment
- Police methods have arguably improved since 1991, including having a more targeted approach to particular sites and types of crime
The supervision of individuals who have been arrested, convicted, and sentenced for a criminal offence
Corrections System
How much more likely are Aboriginals to be incarcerated than non-Aboriginals in Canada?
10 times more likely
The likelihood for people to be arrested again after an initial arrest
Recidivism
Term to describe when offenders serve a conditional sentence in the community, usually by performing some sort of community service
Community-based sentencing
This term focuses on establishing a direct, face-to-face connection between the offender and the victim.
Restorative Justice Conferencing
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
Aboriginal sentencing circles
These centre on healing and building community rather than retribution
Traditional Aboriginal Justice
The prevalence of harmonious relationships that exists only when people obey rules, and social institutions are both controlled and predictable
Social Order
The uncertain and unpredictable condition in which rules are not obeyed
Social Disorder
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
Organized Crime
Occurs not as a direct result of the crime, but through the response of institutions and individuals to the victim
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
This theory describes when social structure prevents people from achieving culturally defined goals through legitimate means
Strain (Anomie) Theory; belongs to Structural Functionalist perspective
Argues that people are social beings who tend to imitate each other to gain acceptance and approval
Differential Association Theory; belongs to Social Interactionist Theory
This person/theory argues that developing strong social bonds in childhood can prevent people from giving in to the temptation to commit criminal acts
Travis Hirschi’s “Social Bond Theory”; which belongs to Social Interactionist perspective of crime
What are the four elements that Travis Hirschi argued to be critical in reducing the temptation to commit criminal acts?
- An attachment to other people
- A commitment to conventional goals
- An involvement in conventional activities
- A belief in the legitimacy of conventional values, norms, and moral standards encouraged by society
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”
Labelling Theory
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
Conflict Theory on Crime
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
Social Construction of Crime
What is a main Social Consequence of crime and violence?
Inequality
What are some economic consequences of crime and violence?
- Losses of property
- Criminal violence losses
- Increase in government spending on law enforcement, corrections, court system, etc.
What are the recognized health consequences of crime and violence?
- Physical pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Depression
- Lowered self-esteem
What are some solutions to crime and violence?
- 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
