Quiz 1 - Chapter 1 Flashcards by Madelynn Hamilton

General definition of crime

Social construct based on legal, moral, social, and psychological factors

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the general definition of crime based on?

Subjective notions around how to maintain justice and fairness

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How do definitions of crime vary?

Across history and cultures

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Consistency of definitions of crime across history and cultures

Murder, robbery, theft, incest

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What can lead to changes in the Criminal Code?

Cultural changes

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Examples of changes in the Criminal Code

Birth control
Women’s rights
Abortion
Homosexuality

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does criminal behaviour refer to?

Intentional behaviour that violates a criminal code; did not occur accidentally or without justification or excuse

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What should psychological understandings of criminal behaviour consider?

Cultural issues (e.g., inequalities)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 5 careers possible related to criminal justice

Correctional officer
Parole officer
Probation officer
Psychologist
Professor

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What age are most victims of crime?

Under 30 years old

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 3 cases involving provincial jurisdiction

Sentences of less than 2 years
Community sentences
Young offender services

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name 3 cases associated with federal jurisdiction

Sentences of more than 2 years
Violent crime
More serious criminal histories

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is considered violent crime?

Robbery, sexual assault, physical assault

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

In Canada in 2021, what % of criminal incidents were non-violent?

76%

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the most common type of crime reported in Canada in 2021? Prevalence?

Property crimes
58%

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What happens to most people found guilty of a crime?

Probation or receiving a short custodial sentence

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What happens to most people in custody for longer sentences?

Eventually released back into the community

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

When did violent crime rise most since 2007? By how much?

Rose by 5% in 2022

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Explain the political evolution of crime in Canada in the past few years

“Liberal era” (Trudeau) replaced the “Get-Tough-On-Crime era” (Harper)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is media bringing attention to with regards to the criminal justice system in the past few years?
Examples?

Systemic issues within the criminal justice system
Biases against Black and Indigenous people
Women and sexual health

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Do most Canadians believe that crime is increasing or decreasing?

Increasing

Explain the trends of police-reported crimes since 1992

Rates of police-reported crimes decreased in all categories between 1992 and 2015
Then, increased steadily between 2015 and 2019
Then, decreased between 2019 and 2020

Explain trends in police-reported crimes and Covid-19

Overall crime decreased by 16%
Hate crimes (e.g., based on race or ethnicity) increased by 37%
Domestic disturbance calls increased by 12%
Child pornography cases increased by 23%

What do crime and mental health reflect?Implication?

Injustices and maladies in systemic culture
Recognizing this allows opportunity for compassion and real rehabilitation

Using the psychological understanding of criminal behaviour, why do we want to understand criminality? Give examples

To assess and correct it Why are men more likely than women to commit crimes Why do only a small & of people maintain criminal behaviour into adulthood Why do incarcerated people tend to be less educated

What does the psychological understanding of criminal behaviour require? Give example

Different theoretical perspectives to assess individual differences in criminal behaviour Genetic/biological/evolutionary + learning

What do offenders form? Examples?

An overall very heterogeneous group Not all people who commit crimes are male Not all people who commit crimes are poorly educated

Forensic psychology

Any application of psychology to legal system

Correctional psychology

Specific psychological study of criminal behaviour

List the general personality and cognitive social learning perspective/theory framework

Immediate situation Attitudes supportive of crime History of criminal behaviour Balance of costs and rewards Social supports for crime Community issues Interpersonal issues Personal issues

Give examples of the immediate situation

OH consumption, family stress

Give examples of attitudes supportive of crime

Antisocial attitudes, crime being normalized

Give example of history of criminal behaviour

Initiation into gangs starts early (becomes part of their identity)

Give examples of balance of costs and rewards

Financial gain and social acceptance outweigh risk of consequences

Give examples of social supports for crime

Initiation results Other gang members help facilitate crime

Give examples of community issues

Canada's colonial past causing racism and intergenerational trauma (e.g., through addiction, projected reactions to disenfranchisement)

Give examples of interpersonal issues

Neglect, abuse, unstable relationships, rivalry within community (e.g., between gangs)

Give examples of personal issues

Mental health problems (e.g., addiction)

List the central 8 risk factors in recidivism and criminality

Criminal history Antisocial personality pattern Procriminal attitudes Procriminal associates Family and/or marital problems School and/or work Leisure and/or recreation Substance misuse

Describe criminal history as one of the central 8 risk factors

Early and continuing involvement in a number and variety of antisocial acts in a variety of settings

Describe antisocial personality pattern as one of the central 8 risk factors

Adventurous pleasure-seeking, weak self-control, restlessly aggressive

Describe procriminal attitudes as one of the central 8 risk factors

Attitudes, values, beliefs, and rationalizations supportive of crime; cognitive-emotional states of anger, resentment, and defiance; criminal vs. reformed identity

Describe procriminal associates as one of the central 8 risk factors

Close association with others who engage in crime and relative isolation from others who do not engage in crime; immediate social support for crime

Describe family and/or marital problems as one of the central 8 risk factors

Low levels of nurturance and/or caring and poor monitoring and/or supervision in the family of origin for young people

Describe school and/or work as one of the central 8 risk factors

Low levels of performance and satisfaction in school and/or work

Describe leisure and/or recreation as one of the central 8 risk factors

Low levels of involvement and satisfaction in prosocial leisure pursuits

Describe substance misuse as one of the central 8 risk factors

Misuse of alcohol and/or other drugs

List factors that do not significantly predict criminal behaviour/recidivism

Personal and/or emotional distress Low self-esteem Major mental disorder Physical health Low intelligence SES status of origin Seriousness of current offense Fear of official punishment

Describe in more detail the effect of mental health on criminal behaviour/recidivism

SUDs, ASPD, Anxiety 73% prevalence of a DSM disorder among people being admitted into Canadian Federal Corrections 81% prevalence of a DSM disorder among people who are or will be incarcerated at some point in their life

Explain the current trend in correctional psychology

Slowly becoming more strengths-based/focused on protective factors and desistence