Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

criminology > lesson 1 > Flashcards

lesson 1 Flashcards

AC1.1 (95 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the main focus of criminological theories?

A

To explain the causes and consequences of criminal behavior.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

True or False: The Classical Theory of criminology emphasizes free will and rationality.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which theory suggests that crime is a learned behavior?

A

Differential Association Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ Theory posits that individuals commit crimes due to societal pressures.

A

Strain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the Routine Activities Theory emphasize?

A

The importance of opportunity in the occurrence of crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of criminological theory? A) Biological B) Psychological C) Environmental D) Astronomical

A

D) Astronomical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the primary assumption of the Biological Theory of crime?

A

That genetic and physiological factors influence criminal behavior.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

True or False: Labeling Theory argues that being labeled as a criminal can lead to further criminal behavior.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does Social Learning Theory propose regarding criminal behavior?

A

That behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ Theory focuses on the social structures that contribute to crime.

A

Social Structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which theory emphasizes the role of social disorganization in crime rates?

A

Social Disorganization Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a key concept of Routine Activities Theory? A) Motivation B) Opportunity C) Genetics D) Punishment

A

B) Opportunity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the focus of Critical Criminology?

A

To analyze the social and political contexts of crime and justice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

True or False: Feminist Criminology examines how gender influences crime and the criminal justice system.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does the Control Theory suggest about why people do not commit crimes?

A

That strong social bonds and controls prevent criminal behavior.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ Theory highlights the influence of societal norms and values on criminal behavior.

A

Cultural

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Which criminological theory is associated with behavioral conditioning?

A

Psychological Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Multiple Choice: Which theory argues that crime occurs when there is a gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them? A) Routine Activities Theory B) Strain Theory C) Social Learning Theory D) Control Theory

A

B) Strain Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the primary focus of Environmental Criminology?

A

The relationship between crime and physical environments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

True or False: The Positivist School of criminology focuses on deterministic views of human behavior.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ Theory suggests that crime is a result of conflict between different social groups.

A

Conflict

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which theory emphasizes the role of socialization in preventing crime?

A

Control Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the main premise of Rational Choice Theory?

A

That individuals weigh the costs and benefits before committing a crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following theories focuses on the impact of peer influence on criminal behavior? A) Labeling Theory B) Differential Association Theory C) Routine Activities Theory D) Control Theory

A

B) Differential Association Theory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What does Situational Crime Prevention aim to do?
To reduce crime by altering the immediate environment to make crime less attractive.
26
Actus reus
Latin for guilty act
27
Mens rea
Latin for "guilty mind," used in court to prove criminal intent
28
Caution
The criminal accepts the offence (admits they did it) and agrees to be cautioned by police. No further action is taken
29
Conditional caution
The criminal accepts the offence and agrees to conditions in relation to the caution, e.g. receiving treatment for drug abuse
30
Penalty notices
A small fine issued by the police. These can be issued without the use of court proceedings for minor crimes such as shoplifting or being drunk and disorderly in public. No criminal conviction if the fine is paid
31
Custodial sentences
Being sentenced to time in prison or young offenders institute. Sentences vary from a few days to 'life' and can run concurrently or consecutively.
32
community sentence
A punishment from a court that combines punishment (giving up time) with activities carried out in the community.
33
Fine
A financial penalty of an amount determined by the court in punishment for a criminal offence.
34
Conditional discharge
Offender is found guilty but is given conditions to meet in return for not being given a formal sanction e.g drug offenders may be given orders to attend rehabilitation. If conditions are not met, offenders may be given another sanction
35
Absolute discharge
Offender is found guilty but punishment is not deemed suitable e.g where a person has a medical condition that has led to their action or has committed their crime in self defence
36
Deviance
Actions against society's norms and values
37
Informal sanctions against deviance
Frowning upon someone's behaviour Labelling behaviour Being ignored Parents grounding a child
38
How and why do laws on adultery vary between countries?
Adultery is legal in all European countries but illegal in many countries which operate Islamic law, e.g. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan. Reasons why laws vary: religion, status of women.
39
How and why do laws on honour crime vary between countries?
Illegal in the UK but common in many South Asian families. They are a custom in some cultures when a woman damages a family's reputation.
40
How and why do laws on homosexuality vary between countries?
Legal in the UK since 1967. Illegal in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, Nigeria. Religion is a major reason for the difference.
41
Statute
An Act of Parliament
42
Acquittal
Verdict of a court when someone is found Not Guilty.
43
How has the law on prostitution changed in the UK?
Prostitution is legal but many of its associated activities are illegal, e.g. kerb crawling, soliciting, owning a brothel. Some have called for the law to be changed to make prostitution legal.
44
Soliciting
Offering sex for money in a public place.
45
How has the law changed on capital punishment?
The death penalty in the UK was fully abolished in 1969, following high-profile miscarriages of justice, e.g. Derek Bentley.
46
How has the law changed on double jeopardy?
Following the campaign of Ann Mings, the law preventing people being tried for the same crime twice was changed. Criminal Justice Act 2003 allows a re-trial if there is "new and compelling evidence".
47
What are some examples of laws that change from country to country?
Possession of cannabis FGM Homosexuality
48
What is the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales?
10
49
What is the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland?
12
50
Manslaughter
Unlawful killing without malice or aforethought
51
Diminished responsibility
Where a defendant shows that their mental condition substantially reduced their ability to understand that what they were doing is wrong.
52
Mandatory
Required by law
53
Self defence
A defence allowing the use of reasonable force to protect yourself .
54
What are some reasons why laws vary according to place, time and culture?
Opinions change over time Religious differences Campaigns to change opinion Greater knowledge (e.g. of the dangers of smoking)
55
What does Marxist theory suggest about crime in a capitalist society?
Crime is inevitable in a capitalist society as capitalism makes people greedy and selfish. Also, poverty means some people may turn to crime to make ends meet.
56
What is the role of institutions like schools, the family, religion, and the criminal justice system according to Marxist theories of crime?
These institutions encourage people to conform in society.
57
What is the perspective of Marxist theory on the treatment of white-collar crime compared to crimes committed by less powerful individuals?
White-collar crime tends to be ignored, while crimes committed by less powerful individuals are seen as more serious.
58
According to Marxist theories of crime, how are different social classes policed?
Police patrol and focus on areas where poorer people live.
59
Chambliss - Marxist
Middle class youths 'saints' were seen as behaving with 'high spirits' by police and given informal sanctions whereas the working class 'roughnecks' were seen as criminal even though the actions of both groups were the same
60
Sutherland - Marxist
A sociologist who claimed people in high status jobs may commit crimes in their workplace but are unlikely to be caught e.g embezzling company money
61
What is the main idea of functionalist theories of crime according to Durkheim?
Crime is an inevitable part of healthy societies
62
How can crime strengthen social cohesion according to Durkheim's functionalist perspective?
Crime can bring society together in outrage, e.g. the case of Shannon Matthews.
63
In what way can crime bring about social change based on Durkheim's functionalist theories?
Crime can bring about social change when laws are out of step with the feelings and values of the majority. Suffragettes and civil rights campaigners may break laws to bring about change
64
Merton's Strain Theory
Anomie can result among groups which are prevented from achieving material success. Crime occurs when there are not enough legitimate means to achieve the success in society.
65
What is Becker's Labelling Theory?
Certain acts are deemed as deviant or criminal and individuals involved in these acts are deemed the same.
66
How does Becker explain the labeling process in his theory?
Negative labels are generally given to the powerless by the powerful, such as police and judges, leading to the stigmatization of certain individuals.
67
How does Becker's theory relate to the overrepresentation of certain ethnic groups in the criminal justice system?
He suggests that police actions, influenced by stereotypes, contribute to the disproportionate incarceration of specific ethnic minority groups.
68
Self fulfilling prophecy
People's behaviour can be affected by how others behave towards them, e.g. labelling can make people more likely to commit crime.
69
Cicourel
Police use physical indications of character to decide who to focus on, such as age, style of dress etc
70
Folk Devils (Cohen)
Groups of people seen by many as a threat to society, eg Mods and Rockers in the 1960s, asylum seekers now.
71
Lemert
There is a difference between primary deviance (before and action is labelled bad by society) and secondary deviance (were actions are socially disapproved of)
72
Right realism (Charles Murray)
Crime is not the result of economic factors but of the weakening of social constraints on behaviour. Crime is linked to inadequate social control.
73
Underclass (Murray)
The development of a group of people dependent on benefits or where single mothers attempt to raise young boys without appropriate role models has led to an increase in crime. Crime is often seen as a way of youths proving they are men.
74
Rational choice (Clarke)
Criminals make decisions about their actions. If the benefits are greater than the potential costs, they will commit crime
75
Left realism
Crime is caused by relative deprivation, marginalisation and linked to subcultures.
76
Broken windows - Wilson and Kelling
The theory behind the idea that ignoring small actions leads to more crime
77
Evidence to suggest Marxist theory is incorrect
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95

criminology (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions