Introduction to Criminology Reading

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to criminology, drawn from lecture notes, providing a framework for understanding the various dimensions of crime and criminal justice.

Criminology

The study of crime, including the making of laws, the breaking of laws, and society’s reaction to the breaking of laws.

Edwin Sutherland

Defined criminology as the study of crime, laws, and societal reactions.

Interdisciplinary

A field that integrates concepts from multiple disciplines.

Sociology

The study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society.

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Law

A system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions.

Politics

The process of making decisions that apply to members of a group.

History

The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.

Geography

The study of places and the relationships between people and their environments.

Medicine/Psychiatry

The science and practice of diagnosing and treating illness, historically included in criminology.

Rendezvous subject

An area of study where scholars from various backgrounds meet around a central topic, in this case, crime.

Governmental Project

Focuses on policing, prisons, courts, crime statistics, and administration of justice in criminology.

Lombrosian Project

Focuses on biological traits of criminals and later evolved to social and environmental causes of crime.

Crime

Acts that violate laws defined by society.

Social Construct

A concept or perception that is created by social processes, not existing naturally.

Legal Concept of Crime

What is defined as illegal based on the law.

Cultural Context

The social and cultural environment that influences the interpretation of actions.

Spanner Case

A legal case that illustrates the limits of consent in law.

Consent in Law

An agreement or permission which can be limited by legal standards.

Crime and Criminal Law

Crime is often defined as breaking the criminal law, but this can be problematic.

Critical Criminology

A branch of criminology that critiques traditional views on crime, focusing on social harm.

Labelling Theory

The idea that crime is defined by societal labels rather than the act itself.

Criminalisation

The process of branding actions or individuals as criminal.

Historical Change in Crime

The notion that what is considered criminal changes over time.

Examples of Changing Crime

Homosexuality, abortion, drugs, and alcohol laws have changed in their legal status.

Globalisation and Crime

The impact of global interconnectedness complicates definitions and perceptions of crime.

International Crimes

Crimes that cross national boundaries, such as war crimes and genocide.

Power and Justice

The concept that crime and justice are influenced by power dynamics.

Criminology in Britain

Began in the 1920s with a focus on medical aspects, becoming more sociological in the 1960s.

Institutions of Criminology

Key organizations in the study of criminology in Britain, such as the Institute of Criminology.

British Journal of Criminology

A major publication in the field of criminology in Britain.

British Society of Criminology (BSC)

A professional association for those interested in criminology in Britain.

Growth of Criminology

The significant increase in interest and study of criminology in contemporary times.

Criminal Justice Systems

Structures and processes by which crimes are enforced and justice is administered.

Theoretical Focus in Criminology

A shift in focus from theory to practical applications in the study of criminal justice.

Moral Values

The beliefs about what is right and wrong that can influence criminal law.

Acts and Their Legal Nature

Acts perceived as legal or illegal can depend on various factors like time and culture.

Prosecution for Assault

Legal action taken against someone accused of physically harming another, regardless of consent.

Complexity of Crime

The notion that crime cannot be understood simply; it has various dimensions and interpretations.

Criminological Debate

Discussions within criminology regarding the focus on crime versus social harm.

Societal Reactions to Crime

How society responds to criminal acts, which can influence laws and perceptions of crime.

Inequality in Criminalisation

The disparity in how laws label different people as criminal based on social status.

Crime as a Dynamic Concept

The understanding that crime evolves and is not fixed or universal.

Regulatory Frameworks

Systems of rules and regulations that govern societal behaviors related to crime.

The Role of Media in Crime

How media representations can shape public perceptions and societal reactions to crime.

Community Impact on Crime

The influence of community values and structure on perceptions and instances of crime.

Legal Definitions of Crime

The specific legal descriptions that define what constitutes crime in different jurisdictions.