Untitled Flashcards Set

What is criminology?

The scientific study of crime and the reasons why people commit criminal acts.

What does criminology focus on?

-Forms of criminal behavior, causes of crime, definitions of criminality, and social reactions to criminal activity.

-It shows my interest in the casual explanations of crime.

What are mala in se acts?

Acts that are inherently immoral or wrong, universally viewed as bad, such as murder and rape.

What are mala prohibita acts?

Acts that are considered crimes because they are prohibited, not inherently bad, such as traffic violations.

What is the scientific method?

• A systematic approach to inquiry and investigation that involves forming a hypothesis, gathering dates, testing the hypothesis & drawing conclusions 

• A systematic way of studying crime & justice in  criminology 

What does the conflict model in criminology assert?

That criminal law reflects the conflicts of interest of groups, and that the group in power defines what is considered criminal.

-it emerged in the 1950s to challenge the consensus perspective

-Criminologists like Richard Qunney argue that criminology should focus less on explaining criminal behavior & more on understanding how certain behaviors & individuals are labeled as criminal 

Who was Cesare Beccaria?

An Italian philosopher known for advocating fair punishment and shaping modern legal and criminal justice systems.

-he emphasized the idea that punishment should be fair & should serve as something to discourage actions rather than revenge, rejection of capitol punishment, focus on justice & laws should help promote greater good

What does victimology study?

The study of victims, including the causes of victimization, its consequences, and how the justice system accommodates victims.

What is the Routine Activities Theory?

Crime occurs when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardians converge in time and space.

What is a key trend in crime rates since the 1960s?

Periods of rising crime rates followed by declines, with the US experiencing a crime wave since the mid-1960s.

What impact does education have on crime?

Crime decreases as education increases, and strong school bonding lessens delinquency.

What was the purpose of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)?

To collect data on crimes experienced by individuals, including those not reported to law enforcement.

What are some victim risk factors related to gender?

Men and boys are often victims of man-on-man crime; women have a higher risk of sexual assault and are more likely to be victimized by intimate partners.

What is PTSD?

A psychiatric anxiety disorder caused by experiencing traumatic events, with symptoms lasting over a month and causing significant distress.

What is the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)?

A legislation that provided federal funding for victim services and required states to support all citizens victimized within their borders.

What are victim impact statements?

Statements given by victims in court describing the emotional, financial, and physical effects of the crime.

What is deviance?

Behavior that is outside the limits of social toleration, seen as violating societal norms.

What is the definition of crime from a legal perspective?

Any act/action that violates criminal law.

What are the characteristics of qualitative techniques in research?

Involve less commitment to quantitative measurement, more engagement with field strategies, and rely on observational methods.

What is the dark figure of crime?

Unreported or unknown crimes that are not captured by official statistics, often due to underreporting.

What is the importance of family in relation to crime?

Family is the most important socialization agent, with studies showing a correlation between family behavior and youth delinquency.

What is empirical proof?

Information gathered through observation or experiments that can support a claim in criminological research.