Media and Crime Lecture Notes

A collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on media and crime.

Media's Role

Shapes public opinion and fear of crime, influences laws and criminal justice policy, and can misrepresent crime frequency/types.

Wedding Cake Model of Justice

Illustrates the layers of the justice system, with serious cases at the top and misdemeanors at the bottom.

Consensus View of Crime

Defines crime as behavior harmful to society.

Conflict View of Crime

Sees crime as defined by powerful groups.

Interactionist View of Crime

Views crime as changing with social norms.

UCR (Uniform Crime Reports)

Official crime reports from law enforcement agencies.

NCVS (National Crime Victimization Survey)

Victimization surveys that include unreported crimes.

Self-Reports

Data collected from offenders about their own criminal activity.

Triangulation

Using multiple methods together to create a more complete crime picture.

Criminal Justice Funnel

Illustrates that many cases do not result in imprisonment, with many dropped or plea bargained.

Rational Choice Theory

Suggests crime is a choice based on a cost-benefit analysis.

Social Disorganization Theory

Argues that weak neighborhoods lead to more crime.

Strain/Anomie Theory

Proposes that crime occurs when individuals face blocked goals.

Differential Association Theory

States that crime is learned through social interactions.

Life Course Theory

Suggests that crime changes throughout an individual's life.

Labeling Theory

Proposes that societal labels can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Broken Windows Policing

Theory that ignoring small crimes leads to larger ones.

Evidence-Based Policing

Policing strategies guided by data and research.

Police Subculture

Refers to the shared values and norms within police departments.

Indigent Defense

Legal assistance provided to those who cannot afford a lawyer.

Plea Bargaining

An agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.

Mass Incarceration

The substantial growth of the prison population since the 1980s, particularly due to the War on Drugs.

Collateral Consequences

The additional penalties that come with having a criminal record.

Sentencing Goals

Purposes of sentencing including deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, and restoration.