Unit 2 - Criminological Theories - 1.1 Compare criminal behaviour and deviance

Question 1

Define values

Answer 1

general principles or guidelines about how we should live our lives. They tell us what is right and wrong.

Question 2

Define norms

Answer 2

Norms are the specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people’s behaviour in specific situations.

Question 3

Give an example of a value found in all societies

Answer 3

Respect of human life

Question 4

Give an example of a value found in traditional societies

Answer 4

duty of individuals to share their wealth with everyone/respect for elders

Question 5

What is a moral code?

Answer 5

Term used to describe a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group or society

Question 6

What is included in the Police code of ethics?

Answer 6

Accountability, integrity, openness, fairness, leadership, respect, honesty, objectivity and selflessness.

Question 7

Defining Deviance

What Is deviance?

Answer 7

Any behaviour that differs from the normal. In other words, it is behaviour that is unusual, uncommon or out of the ordinary.

Question 8

Forms of deviance:

Give examples of behaviour that is;

• unusual or good
• unusual or bizarre
• behaviour that is unusual or bad

Answer 8

• risking your own life to save someone else’s
• talking to trees
• attacking someone for no reason

Question 9

Why do societies have different ideas about deviance?

Answer 9

Different societies have different norms. FGM is normal in some societies and therefore is not deviant but in British society FGM is wrong and is generally seen as deviant.

Question 10

Formal and Informal sanctions

What is meant by formal sanctions?

Answer 10

Sanctions imposed by official bodies such as police, courts and schools. They are punishments for breaking formal rules or laws.

Question 11

What is meant by informal sanctions?

Answer 11

Used when rules are not formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’. When someone breaks these rules others show their disapproval in informal ways, such as telling someone off.

Question 12

Give an example of a positive sanction

Answer 12

Rewards for behaviour that society approves of eg class charts positive or award

Question 13

What is meant by social control?

Answer 13

All sanctions, positive or negative are forms of social control. These are ways in which society seeks to control our behaviour and ensure we conform to social norms.

Question 14

The legal definition of criminal behaviour

What is ‘Actus Reus’?

Answer 14

Latin for ‘guilty act’

Question 15

What does ‘Mens Rea’ mean?

Answer 15

Latin for ‘Guilty mind’

Question 16

What Is strict liability?

Answer 16

It means that the criminal act is enough to secure a conviction for someone, Mens Rea is not needed

Question 17

Why would self-defence mean that an act is not a crime?

Answer 17

Assaulting someone with the intent to harm is usually a criminal act but in self-defence it is not a crime if reasonable force is used

Question 18

The social definition of criminal behaviour

Give an example of a harmful act that is not criminal

Answer 18

low levels of pollution

Question 19

Give an example of a trivial act that is against the law

Answer 19

Tax evasion

Question 20

Explain how different views can affect whether an act is seen as criminal

Answer 20

The public often have a different view of what acts are really crimes, compared with the legal definition. For example, someone may dodge fares and not see themselves as a criminal but others may.

Question 21

How does law enforcement affect the definition of crimes?

Answer 21

Not all criminal laws are enforced eg white collar crimes. This may cause some people to believe that these acts are legal when in reality they aren’t.

Question 22

Explain how laws and law-making may be affected by groups in society

Answer 22

Not all acts that people believe should be criminal actually have laws passed around them. The actions that get made illegal depends on who has the power to Influence the law makers like the media, campaign groups and businesses

Question 23

Seriousness of the offence

What are summary offences?

Answer 23

Less serious crimes like speeding. Tried by magistrate courts

Question 24

What are indictable offences?

Answer 24

More serious crimes like rape and murder. Tried by crown courts

Question 25

Court sanctions - Custodial sentences What determines the length of a custodial sentence?

Answer 25

The type of crime

Question 26

When can prisoners serving a life sentence apply for parole?

Answer 26

After 15 years

Question 27

What is an indeterminate sentence ?

Answer 27

A sentence with no specific release date

Question 28

When are indeterminate sentences imposed?

Answer 28

They are imposed when the offender is a danger to the public

Question 29

Community sentences Give some examples of a community sentences

Answer 29

Probation, curfews, drug testing, community payback ( doing unpaid work in the community eg cleaning off graffiti

Question 30

What three factors determine the size of the fine?

Answer 30

Seriousness of the offence, Whether it is a repeat offence and whether the offender can pay

Question 31

What Is a conditional discharge?

Answer 31

Involves the offender not committing further offences for a certain period and if they do they can be sentenced

Question 32

What is an absolute discharge?

Answer 32

The offender is technically guilty but cannot be punished as the sentence is not appropriate eg self defence

Question 33

Police sanctions What is a caution and when are they used?

Answer 33

Warnings given to anyone over 10 who commits a minor offence, given by police or CPS

Question 34

What is a conditional caution?

Answer 34

The offender has to stick to certain rules and restrictions if not they will be charged

Question 35

What are 'penalty notices for disorder'?

Answer 35

They are issued for minor offences. The offender will not be convicted if they pay the penalty.

Question 36

What are the other consequences of committing criminal acts?

Answer 36

- Exclusion from certain jobs eg teaching - could be placed on violent or sexual register - may be banned from travelling to certain countries - may not be able to adopt, run for office or go on jury duty

Question 37

Media sentencing What is the most important thing judges consider when sentencing?

Answer 37

That the punishment fits the crime

Question 38

What do judges and magistrates use to decide sentences?

Answer 38

Sentencing guidelines

Question 39

What are the 8 things Judges and magistrates consider when giving sentences?

Answer 39

- seriousness eg if someone robs a house with a knife compared to stealing a wallet - harm eg physical or mental damage to victim - offender level of blame eg planning offence or targeting someone - previous convictions - personal circumstances eg if the offender looks after dependent relatives - remorse of the offender eg offender may have shown they are sorry - guilty pleas eg if an offender pleads guilty they will get a reduced sentence - which sentence will change offenders behaviour

Question 40

What are the 4 main types of sentence?

Answer 40

Prison, community sentence, fine and discharge

Question 41

Media sentencing PT2 Why is prison used as a punishment?

Answer 41

The crime Is so serious or the offender's record is so bad or no other punishment will do

Question 42

How much time will someone spend in jail?

Answer 42

1/2

Question 43

What do community sentences include?

Answer 43

- Unpaid work eg painting or cleaning | - Treatment for issues eg drug addictions

Question 44

What determines the level of a fine?

Answer 44

Seriousness of the offence and how much money the offender has

Question 45

What is a Discharge?

Answer 45

For less serious offences when the court experience is said to be enough punishment for the offence. However, it can come with conditions that if broken you will be sentenced for the original offence

Question 46

Acts that are both criminal and deviant Why are some acts considered criminal but not deviant?

Answer 46

Not every act that is classified as a crime is particularly serious, some are regarded as not particularly deviant. For example, possession of cannabis is criminal but it is widely accepted and not regarded as bad behaviour. However, society is often divided on whether a crime is deviant. For example, some may see possession of cannabis as morally wrong and thus deviant.

Question 47

Why are some acts considered deviant but not criminal?

Answer 47

Some acts that people see as deviant are not always crimes. For example, although homosexual acts are legal in the UK some people still see it as morally wrong and deviant. This often arises when social attitudes are changing. Attitudes may change around behaviour that was once illegal and seen as deviant. Some people may now see it as acceptable and this may lead to a change in law. However, at the same time others may still see it as deviant like abortion and homosexuality.