Definitions

What is crime and how is it classified?

Crime is defined as an act that violates a law and is punishable by the state. Crimes are categorized into two main types: felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are serious offenses that typically result in harsher penalties, such as imprisonment for more than a year or even death sentences, whereas misdemeanors are less serious violations that result in lighter penalties, such as fines or imprisonment for less than a year. Additionally, the classification of an act as a crime may vary based on cultural norms, societal changes, and the context of the act itself, highlighting that legality can be influenced by continually evolving legal standards.

What is deviance?

Behavior that diverges from societal norms but is not necessarily illegal.

What are the two main types of crime?

Violent crime and property crime.

What is a victimless crime?

An illegal act that does not directly harm another individual, such as drug use.

Define social control.

Mechanisms a society uses to promote order and prevent deviance.

What is formal social control?

Regulation of behavior through official laws and legislation.

What is informal social control?

Regulation of behavior through societal norms and peer pressure.

What is the strain theory?

A theory suggesting that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals.

What are the two types of deviance?

Primary deviance and secondary deviance.

What is the labeling theory?

A theory suggesting that deviance is a result of societal labels applied to individuals.

What is white-collar crime?

Non-violent crime committed for financial gain in a professional context.

What is anomie?

A state of normlessness in society leading to breakdown of social bonds.

Define gang culture.

Social interactions and behaviors common among a group of individuals bound by shared norms.

What are moral panics?

Exaggerated societal reactions to perceived threats to social order.

What is differential association theory?

A theory that posits criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others.