Criminology Exam Preparation Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terminology and concepts related to criminology and deviance.

Deviance

Any behavior that differs from societal norms and values; it is behavior that is unusual, uncommon, or out of the ordinary.

Formal Sanctions

Imposed by official bodies such as the police and courts; they include penalties like fines or imprisonment.

Informal Sanctions

Social responses to deviance that are not codified into law, such as ostracism or social disapproval.

Actus Reus

The physical act of committing a crime.

Mens Rea

The mental state or intent to commit a crime.

Admired Deviance

Behavior that is unusual but considered good, such as risking one's life to save another.

Odd Deviance

Behavior that is unusual and eccentric, such as hoarding items or having bizarre tattoos.

Bad Deviance

Behavior that is unusual and disapproved of by the majority, such as intentionally harming someone.

Social Construction of Criminality

The concept that what is considered criminal behavior can change based on societal values and norms.

Revenge Porn

Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent, classified as a crime under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.

Crime (Legal Definition)

An act punishable by law as being forbidden by statute or injurious to the public welfare.

Social Definition of Crime

An understanding that not all harmful acts are criminal; some may be illegal but socially accepted.

Intervening Act

An act that occurs after the defendant's initial act and breaks the chain of causation, potentially absolving the defendant of guilt.

Self-Defence

A legal defense claiming that a defendant acted to protect themselves from harm.

Biological Theories of Criminality

Theories suggesting that genetic or physiological factors predispose individuals to criminal behavior.

Individualistic Theories of Criminality

Theories that focus on personal motivations and psychological factors influencing criminal behavior.

Sociological Theories of Criminality

Theories emphasizing the role of social context and community influences on criminal behavior.

Formal Control

Measures that are systematically applied to regulate behavior through established laws and regulations.

Informal Social Control

Methods of influencing behavior without formal rules, such as peer pressure or community norms.

Case Study: Jeffery Dahmer

An infamous serial killer whose crimes included murder and cannibalism, raising questions on insanity and criminal responsibility.