Intro Crim Chapter 1

What is the general definition of crime?

An intentional act in violation of criminal law, committed without defense or excuse, and penalized by the state as a felony or misdemeanor.

What is the legalistic perspective of crime?

Crime is human conduct in violation of criminal laws. If there is no law against it, there is no crime.

What is the political perspective of crime?

 Crime results from laws created by powerful groups to label undesirable behavior as illegal.

What is the sociological perspective of crime?

Crime is antisocial behavior that threatens social order; it is primarily an offense against human relationships.

What is the psychological perspective of crime?

Crime is maladjusted behavior indicating an individual's difficulty adapting to society.

What are indictable offences?

Serious crimes (e.g., murder, robbery). Sentence: 14 years or more of incarceration.

What are summary offences?

Less serious crimes (e.g., loitering, causing disturbance). Sentence: Maximum 6 months of incarceration.

What are hybrid offences?

Crimes that can be tried as indictable or summary offences, based on the Crown's decision and circumstances.

What does civil law address?

Civil law enforces private rights and handles disputes between individuals (contracts, property).

What does administrative law focus on?

It regulates business practices; violations usually result in fines or warnings (e.g., Worksafe BC).

What is criminology?

The interdisciplinary study of crime, criminal behavior, its causes, legal aspects, prevention, and control.

What is social policy?

Government programs or initiatives intended to solve societal problems.

What is criminality?

A predisposition or tendency that favors engaging in criminal activity.

What is criminal behavior?

Intentional or negligent actions that violate criminal law, including failures to act when legally required.

Who is a criminologist?

A trained expert who studies crime, criminals, and criminal behavior, typically with advanced credentials.

Who is a criminalist?

A specialist in collecting and examining physical evidence of crime.

What is criminal justice?

The study of criminal law, crime, and the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections).

What is theoretical criminology?

 A subfield that proposes explanations for criminal behavior.

What is a theory in criminology?

Interrelated propositions that describe, explain, predict, and possibly control criminal behavior.

What is a general theory?

A theory that attempts to explain most or all types of criminal conduct under one approach.

What is an integrated theory?

A theory that combines concepts from multiple sources to explain crime more broadly.

What does unicausal mean?

Having only one cause; a unicausal theory proposes a single reason for criminal behavior.

What is evidence-based criminology?

Criminology that uses scientific research methods like controlled experiments to test theories.

What is the experimental method in criminology?

A method using rigorous, controlled research techniques to test hypotheses and theories.

What are characteristics of scientific criminology?

Use of scientific method, general laws, observation, real-world application, and value as an independent field.

What begins the theory-building process?

Observing a correlation (e.g., poverty and high crime rates).

What comes after observing a correlation in theory-building?

 Asking why, proposing a theory, testing a hypothesis, and developing policies.

Example of a theory-based hypothesis?

Breaking the poverty cycle will reduce crime.

What is research in criminology?

The standardized and systematic search for knowledge.

What is applied research?

Research conducted with practical applications in mind.

What is pure research?

Research done to advance scientific knowledge, not necessarily for practical use.

What is primary research?

Original, direct investigation by the researcher.

What is secondary research?

New analysis of existing data collected by others.

What is a variable in research?

A concept or factor that can be measured and changed.

What are the stages of scientific research?

1) Problem identification, 2) Research design, 3) Data gathering, 4) Review of findings.

What is a confounding effect?

A competing explanation that threatens the validity of a study.

What is a controlled experiment?

An experiment that controls all conditions except the variable being tested.

What is a quasi-experimental design?

A less rigorous design used when controlled experiments aren’t feasible.

What is survey research?

Using questionnaires to collect social science data.

What is a case study?

A detailed investigation into a single case or instance.

What is participant observation?

A research method where the observer actively participates in the group being studied.

What is self-reporting in research?

Subjects report their own behaviors for study purposes.

What is secondary analysis?

Re-analyzing existing data collected by other researchers.

What is correlation in research?

A relationship (causal, complementary, or reciprocal) between two measurable variables.

What is the quantitative method?

A research approach that yields measurable, numerical results.

What is the qualitative method?

A method focused on subjective, non-measurable data.

What is Verstehen?

A deep, empathetic understanding of subjects through immersion in their world.

Why is awareness of bias important in research?

To minimize its impact on results and ensure validity.

What is data confidentiality in research ethics?

Protecting participant identities while allowing valid research use.

What is informed consent in research ethics?

Participants must be fully informed about the study and how their data will be used.