AC 1.1 Flashcards
(52 cards)
what is a moral panic?
disproportionate public fears about something which might threaten the moral values of society
when does a moral panic occur?
when the media’s representation of crime is exaggerated
what does a moral panic lead to?
the public reacting in a ‘panicky’ way and more crime overall
what happens as a result of the media’s strong influence over the public’s concerns and attitudes towards crime?
a negative and fearful perception of crime is created
what is a knock on effect of the media creating a negative perception of crime?
policies and government priorities are driven towards the perceived issue
what can media portrayals of certain groups generate?
anxiety among those who perceive themselves as vulnerable, that the issue is out of control and poses an immediate threat
what is the public perception of crime trends?
crime is increasing because the media reports heavily on a high number of crime stories that align with their News Values
why is the fear of becoming a victim on the rise?
the media overreport certain crimes
who is most likely to be the victim of crime on the streets?
young males
who does the media portray as the most common victims?
the elderly and women
what are typifications?
the stereotypes held by police, judges, probation officers and prosecutors about their ‘typical delinquent’
give examples of typifications.
young, lower-class often unemployed males
black or ethnic minority
from a ‘rough’ neighbourhood
where do self-fulfilling prophecies come from?
the media as their portrayals of criminals matches the typifications held by the police
what is the impact of the response to crime?
to produce disproportionate sentences that don’t reflect the severity of the crime
why does the government produce disproportionate sentences?
to show they do not tolerate these types of crimes and to set a deterrent
what is the social definition of criminal behaviour?
a label from ‘social interaction’ or a wrong against the community; if society says an act is a crime then it becomes one
what crimes in our society are universally disapproved of?
sex offences
what acts are crimes in some countries but not in others?
it is legal to have a child bride in Bangladesh but not in the UK
what is the legal definition of criminal behaviour?
behaviour that breaks the law and for which you’re punished by the legal system; it must have 2 elements
what are the 2 elements a crime must have in its legal definition?
actus reus = guilty act
mens rea = guilty mind
what are the non court formal sanctions against crime and deviance? (3)
caution
conditional caution
penalty notices
what is a caution?
administered by the police for minor crimes, you have to admit an offence and agree to be cautioned
what is a conditional caution?
have to agree to certain rules e.g. drug treatment
what is a penalty notice?
for disorder or possessing cannabis for example, but the offender has to be 18+
