Topic 1: Social Constructions of Criminality Flashcards
What’s the difference between crime and deviance?
Crime is an act that has broken the law where as a deviant act is an act that is deemed “socially unacceptable” or a violation of society’s norms and values.
Define “values” and provide an example.
Values are general guidelines or principles for how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right/wrong, important/not important and good/bad. They are commonly shared by a community, i.e. religion.
Define “norms” and provide an example.
Norms are specific rules or socially accepted standards that guide our behaviour in particular situations, i.e. going to work.
Define “moral codes” and provide an example.
A set of rules or guidelines that a person or group of people follow in order to live a good and moral life, e.g. ‘treating people how you want to be treated’.
Define “deviance”
Deviance is any behaviour that differs from what is considered “normal” in society. Deviant behaviour is behaviour that deviates from the norms and values of society.
Name the three types of deviant behaviour
Admired behaviour, odd behaviour, bad behaviour
Define “admired behaviour”
Behaviour that violates social norms but would be considered admirable or a positive act.
Define “odd behaviour”
Behaviour that also violates social norms however it is not necessarily immoral or admirable (essentially its not harming anyone).
Define “bad behaviour”
Behaviour that is mostly criminal as it breaks the law and puts someone in potential harm.
Example of admired behaviour
Risking your own life to save someone else’s
Example of odd behaviour
Owning 50 cats
Example of bad behaviour
Beating someone up
Define “crime”
Any action or behaviour that is forbidden by the criminal law, and for which you can be punished by the legal system.
Define “actus reus”
The guilty act (the physical act that causes harm to another person). Literally translated it means “actions crime”.
Define “mens rea”
The intent (the guilty mind with the intention to commit the act). Literally translated it means “guilty mind”.
Name the 6 types of criminal acts
Fatal offences against the person, non-fatal offences against the person, offences against property, sexual offences, public order offences, drug offences.
Example of a public order offence
Affray (a fight between two people in public)
Example of a non-fatal offence against the person
GBH
Example of an offence against property
Burglary
Define “sanctions”
A sanction is a form of social pressure that either punishes people for committing or deters people from committing negative behaviour.
What’s the difference between formal and informal sanctions
Formal sanctions are imposed by official bodies such as police, courts etc… and are punishments for breaking official laws where as informal sanctions are used when rules are not formally written down/”unspoken”.
What acts would a formal sanction be used in and what acts would an informal sanction be used in?
Formal: Both criminal and deviant
Informal: Deviant
