Criminology Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts and perspectives from the criminology lecture notes.

Consensus Perspective

The view that laws should be based on the collective agreement of society's core values.

Pluralist Perspective

The belief that multiple views and values exist in society, and laws help resolve disputes among them.

Conflict Perspective

The perspective that sees conflict as a fundamental aspect of social life, often related to power dynamics.

Value Neutral

The idea that the legal system should remain impartial and free of partisanship among competing social groups.

Criminology

The scientific study of crime, including its causes, effects, and the reactions of society.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms, which can be perceived differently across various social groups.

Rehabilitation

The process of re-educating and reintegrating offenders back into society.

Social Responsibility Perspective

The belief that individuals are fundamentally responsible for their own criminal behavior.

Social Problem Perspective

The view that crime is a manifestation of larger social issues such as poverty and discrimination.

Crime Gene

The controversial idea suggesting the existence of a genetic predisposition towards criminal behavior.

Criminalization Process

How certain behaviors come to be defined as criminal over time, influenced by societal values and power structures.

Victimology

The study of victims and the patterns of how certain groups are victimized.

Deterrence

Strategies aimed at preventing crime through the threat of punishment.

Sociological Approaches

The examination of how social factors influence crime and criminal behavior.

Biological Approaches

The study of how biological factors may predispose individuals to criminal behavior.

Psychological Approaches

The focus on the individual's mind and behavior in understanding criminal actions.

Public Perception of Crime

How societal views and media representations influence the understanding and fear of crime.