Deviance and Criminal Law Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to deviance and criminal law.

Deviant behaviour

Actions that violate societal norms and expectations.

Criminal behaviour

Actions that are against the law and punishable by legal sanctions.

Social construction

A concept that has been defined or created by societal norms rather than occurring naturally.

Typification

The process of creating a standard social model based on common assumptions about how people typically behave.

Differential enforcement

The unequal application of laws based on certain factors such as social class, age, or circumstance.

Homicide

The unlawful killing of a human being, for which different legal defenses may apply.

Polygamy

The practice of having more than one spouse simultaneously; it includes forms like polygyny and polyandry.

Moral panic

A social phenomenon where public fear and concern escalate regarding a perceived threat to societal norms.

Age of criminal responsibility

The minimum age at which an individual can be charged with a crime, differing between jurisdictions.

Diminished responsibility

A legal defense applicable in homicide cases recognizing that a defendant's mental state impaired their capacity to control their actions.