White Collar Crime Exam 1

Crimen falsi

Latin phrase, “crime of falsehood” used to refer to crimes such as larceny, fraud, embezzlement, & offering false statements to conceal truthfulness or greater harm.

Discretionary Power

The freedom to make decisions using personal judgement.

Fraud

A deliberate misrepresentation that harms another. Typically civil (tort) but also criminal offense if intentional.

Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

Act creating legal tools for dealing with unlawful activities of those engaged in organized crime.

White Collar Crime

Nonviolent crime for financial gain committed by means of deception by people having professional status or specialized tech skills.

Biological Theories

Explain criminal behavior as being partly the result of the presence of certain heritable (genetic) traits that may increase the probability of criminal conduct.

Classical Theories

Explain criminal behavior as a conscious & rational choice by people who calculate the cost and benefits of criminal activities.

Differential Association Theory

Sociological theory arguing the idea that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others who engage in criminal activity.

Labeling Theory

Sociological theory arguing the concept that individuals are labeled as deviant, which can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies & further criminal behavior.

Psychological Theories

Explains criminality as stemming from emotional, cognitive, or personality problems (childhood trauma, lack of meaningful parent-child interaction, etc) associated with thoughts, beliefs, or brain processes.

Rational Choice Theory

Classical theory supporting the idea that individuals make conscious decisions based on the perceived costs and benefits of their actions.

Relative Deprivation Theory

Sociological theory arguing the belief that crime is more likely to occur when individuals feel deprived relative to others.

Social Control Theory

Sociological theory arguing the perspective that individuals are more likely to commit crimes when their bonds to society are weak.

Sociological Theories

Examine deficits or conflicts at the community or broader societal level such as poverty, subcultuers of crime, opportunity structures, or deficits within