CHAPTER 14: LAW, CRIME & SOCIAL CONTROL

Crime

A violation of law defined and enforced by the state and punishable by sanctions

Street Crime

Crime that occurs in public such as robbery burglary and drug trafficking

White-Collar Crime

Crime committed by individuals in positions of trust involving deceit or financial harm

Public Law

Law governing relationships between individuals and the state

Private Law

Law governing disputes between individuals or groups

Law on the Books

Official written laws and legal codes

Law in Action

How laws are applied and experienced in practice

Sanctions

Penalties for breaking the law

Dark Figure of Crime

The amount of crime that is not reported or recorded

Crime Funnel

The process showing the decline from crimes committed to reported recorded and cleared

UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) Survey

Official police-reported crime data in Canada

Victimization Survey (GSS)

A survey asking individuals about their experiences with crime including unreported incidents

Self-Report Survey

A survey where individuals report their own criminal behaviour

Social Construction of Crime

The idea that what is considered crime changes based on social and historical context

Vagrancy Laws

Laws used historically to control marginalized groups such as the poor and homeless

Ponzi Scheme

A fraud where returns are paid using new investors’ money rather than actual profits

Delinquency

Criminal or antisocial behaviour among youth

Routine Activities Theory

Crime occurs when a motivated offender suitable target and lack of guardianship converge

Social Disorganization Theory

Crime results from unstable and disadvantaged neighbourhood conditions

Strain Theory (Merton)

Crime occurs when individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means

Labelling Theory

Crime is defined through social labels applied by those in power

Secondary Deviance

Continued offending that occurs after individuals internalize a criminal label

Social Bond Theory (Hirschi)

Strong social bonds reduce crime through attachment commitment involvement and belief

Low Self-Control Theory

Lack of self control leads to impulsive and criminal behaviour

Social Learning Theory

Crime is learned through interaction with others

Subcultural Theory

Groups develop criminal norms as a response to blocked opportunities

Deterrence Theory

Crime is reduced when punishment is certain severe and swift

Situational Crime Prevention

Reducing crime by changing environments to limit opportunities

Rational Choice Theory

Crime is a result of individuals weighing costs and benefits

Biological Theory of Crime

Genetic factors influence criminal behaviour

Psychological Theory of Crime

Personality traits influence criminal behaviour

Criminogenic Environment

A setting that increases the likelihood of criminal behaviour