SOC 368: Criminology Exam 3 Review

These flashcards cover important terminology and concepts relevant to SOC 368: Criminology Exam 3, preparing students for examination of key themes and theories in criminology.

Socially Constructed Crime

The concept that crime is defined by societal norms and values, making it relative to time, culture, and context.

Mens Rea

The mental state or intent to commit a crime, often a key factor in determining culpability.

Actus Reus

The physical act of committing a crime, a necessary element to establish liability.

Culpability

The degree of responsibility or blame that an individual has for committing a crime, often assessed through mens rea.

Recidivism

The tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend, highlighting the challenges of rehabilitation.

Crime Myths

False beliefs or misconceptions about crime, often perpetuated by media narratives.

White Collar Crime

Non-violent crime committed for financial gain within a business or professional context, often associated with higher social status.

Conflict Theory

A perspective in criminology that emphasizes the role of social conflict, inequality, and power in the definition and enforcement of laws.

Structural Inequality

A systemic disparity in power and resources among different groups within society, contributing to criminal behavior.

Vagrancy Law

Laws historically used to criminalize the act of being homeless or unable to find work, reflecting class antagonism.

Crimes of Domination

Crimes committed by powerful groups or individuals against those with less power, often obscured from public view.

Crimes of Accommodation

Crimes committed by individuals or groups with less power as a means of coping with inequality.

Social Dynamite

Individuals who are educated about social inequality and potential catalysts for change, posing a threat to the status quo.

Control Costs

The economic burden on society to manage and control populations considered problematic or a surplus.

Implicit Ideology

The underlying beliefs and values that shape a society's views on crime and justice, often obscuring systemic inequalities.

Patriarchal Terrorism

A form of intimate partner violence characterized by a systematic pattern of controlling behaviors primarily perpetrated by men against women.

Intersectionality

An analytical framework that examines how various social identities (such as race, gender, and class) intersect to produce unique experiences of oppression and privilege.

Decarceration

The process of reducing the population of incarcerated individuals, often advocated by critical criminologists as a means to combat systemic injustice.

Green Criminology

The study of environmental harm and crimes against the planet, including issues like animal cruelty and ecological destruction.

Feminist Criminology

An approach that analyzes the role of gender in crime, focusing on women's experiences as offenders and victims.

Hate Crime

Crimes motivated by bias against a particular group, targeting individuals based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

Family Violence

Acts of violence that occur within familial relationships, often characterized by deep emotional and social complexities.

Statutory Rape

Unlawful sexual activity with a minor, where consent is not legally recognized, emphasizing age differences.