Theme E: Crime and Punishment Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions for Theme E: Crime and Punishment.

Addiction

Being addicted to/dependent on a particular substance; can be a cause of crime (eg stealing money to pay for illegal drugs).

Community service

Punishment involving the criminal doing a set number of hours of physical labour/work in their local community.

Corporal punishment

Punishment in which physical pain is inflicted on the criminal.

Crime

Action which breaks the law; can be against the person (eg murder), against property (eg vandalism), or against the state (eg treason).

Death penalty

Capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state.

Deterrence

Aim of punishment; the threat of punishment as a way to put a person off committing crime (eg knowing they could go to prison if they steal).

Evil intentions

Having the desire to deliberately cause suffering or harm to another.

Forgiveness

Letting go of blame against a person for wrongs they have done; moving on.

Greed

Reason for committing crime – wanting or desiring something or more of something.

Hate crime

A crime committed because of prejudice views about a person or group.

Prison

Imprisonment is a form of punishment where a criminal is locked in a secure guarded building (prison) for a period of time.

Law

The rules a country demands its citizens follow, the breaking of which leads to punishment.

Mental illness

A medical condition that can cause changes to a person’s behaviour; can be a cause of crime.

Murder

Unlawfully killing another person.

Poverty

The state of being without the things needed for a reasonable quality of life; can be a cause of crime.

Principle of utility

The concept of acting out of the greater good for the most people. (eg removing a dangerous criminal from society in order to protect others).

Reformation

Aim of punishment; helping the criminal see how and why their behaviour was wrong, so that their mindset changes for the better.

Retribution

Aim of punishment; getting the criminal back for their crimes.

Sanctity of life

Belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals.

Theft

Taking something without the owner’s consent.

Unjust law

A legal requirement within a society that is believed to be unfair; a cause of crime if a person believes they cannot follow (or must act against) a law they believe is unjust.

Upbringing

The environment a child lives in, and the instructions they receive, while they are growing up; can be a cause of crime.