Criminology

What is the definition of Criminology?

The scientific study of the nature, cause and control of criminal behaviour. 

What were the earliest thoughts on Criminology?

During the middle ages people who violated social norms were thought to be witches or possessed by demons. 

What is Utilitarianism?

The concept that the purpose of punishment was to increase the total amount of happiness in the world. To better society by deterring others from committing crimes. Punishment should be swift and severe to deter future law breaking. Citizens should be aware of the punishments for each crime so they know what will happen if they break the law. 

What was the motto of Classical Criminology?

The punishment should fit the crime. 

What was the belief of Positivists?

 That human behaviour is a function of external forces that are out of the individual's control (Social, Political, Historical, Personal Factors)

What did Social Criminologists study?

Sociology in relation to crime. 

What did Conflict Criminologists study?

Social conditions that promoted class conflict and crime. 

Be familiar with the 3 main theories of criminology (Modern Biological, Structural, Rational Choice) enough to be able to recognize their definitions.

Modern biological theory says a single trait cannot explain crime. Biological and psychological traits interact with environmental factors to influence all human behaviour. Rational choice theory says that criminals are rational decision makers and they use information to choose criminal behaviours. Structural theory-says the social environment directly controls human behaviour, people at the bottom of the social structure will commit more crimes. Children learn to commit crime from others. 

Criminal statistics

measuring the amount of and trends in criminal activity

Sociology of Law

concerned with the role social forces play in shaping criminal law and vice versa.

Theory construction

developing theories of crime causation

Criminal behaviour system

understand and describing criminal behaviour

Penology

studying the correction and control of criminal behaviour

Victimology

studying the nature and cause of victimization

The difference between Consensus Crimes and Social Diversions

Consensus crimes are extreme harmful crimes that we can all agree are dangerous to the public. Like homicide and incest. Social diversions are relatively harmless and are met with apathy like fads and fashions. 

SHORT ANSWER: What was the name of the first written legal code, developed in Babylonia in 1780BC?

The code of Hammurabi

Definition of Precedent

 a rule derived from previous judicial decisions and applied to future cases, the basis of common law. 

Summary Conviction vs Indictable Offences

SHORT ANSWER:The 6 Social Goals of Severe Sanctions 

Enforce social control-formally prohibits behaviours discourage revenge-shifts the burden of revenge from the individual to the government express public opinion and morality-criminal law reflects the constantly changing public opinion deterring criminal behaviour-criminal law can control and direct human behaviour punishing wrong-doing-gives the government authority to sanction or punish. 

Definition of Actus Reus

an illegal or guilty act

Definition of Mens Rea

the intent to commit a guilty act. 

MATCHING:Definition of: The UCR Uniform Crime Report

first source of data on crime collected directly from police services in the country and completed monthly, the CSI Crime Severity Index a yearly crime report used by all police agencies in Canada designed to capture overall trends in crime severity, the GSSVS General Social Survey- Victimization conducted every five years Canadians are asked to complete a 30 minute interview over the phone the most comprehensive source of information about victimization, Self Reported Surveys asks individuals to self report their own criminal activity ensures anonymity  (be able to recognize their definitions) 

Has crime increased or decreased over the last 30 years?

Decreasing 

What is the most common property crime?

Damage to the property of others

What are street crimes?

Crimes like robbery, assault, theft and murder that often occur in public places and are easier to detect. 

SHORT ANSWER:What is “Aging Out” of crime?

The fact that people commit less crimes as they mature 

What are the Effects of Victimhood?

Economic loss, system abuse, long term stress, fear, antisocial behaviour

What is the definition of Social Ecology?

The study of the social and behavioural consequences of the interaction between humans and their environment. 

What are the factors that affect the likelihood of being a victim of a crime?

Age, gender, mental health, social status, marital status, race, ethnicity.

Which gender, age, socioeconomic status and marital status has the higher rate of violent

Women, 20 to 24 years of age, low household income, unmarried females. 

What are the three specific types of characteristics that increase the potential for victimization?

Target vulnerability (victims physical weakness or psychological distress), target gratifiability (victim has a quality, possession, skill, or attribute), target antagonism (some characteristics increase risk because they cause anger)

Why do offenders choose to engage in crime?

It is a more attractive alternative to law abiding behaviour, brings rewards, excitement or prestige, crime has an allure, can produce a natural high or adrenaline rush, and has immediate benefits. 

What makes them less likely to commit a crime

certainty of punishment, level of police activity, severity of punishment, swiftness of punishment 

SHORT ANSWER:According to Routine Activities Theory what three components increase the likelihood of crime?

A motivated offender, a suitable target and a lack of capable guardianship. 

What are the “Seductions of Crime”?

The idea that crime can be thrilling, pleasurable or emotionally rewarding for offenders offering excitement or power rather than just material gain. 

What is Displacement?

An effect of crime prevention efforts in which efforts to control crime in one area shift illegal activities to another (the location of the crime)

What is Extinction?

When a crime prevention effort has an immediate impact that dissipates as criminals adjust to new conditions. May lead criminals to try crimes they have previously avoided. (The Idea/or crime changing). 

SHORT ANSWER:What are some of the elements of Environmental Design?

Natural surveillance-establish clear sightings and windows from the building natural access control-use sidewalks, crosswalks and other directional guidance to drive visitors toward the intended entrance. Territorial reinforcement-use fences, hedges, and signage to reinforce the message that the company's property is private. Social management- adding community-building areas such as picnic tables or greenspace where employees can relax and socialize helps to encourage a sense of ownership of the workplace. Maintenance-keep shrubs trimmed to below 2 feet, tree trunks clear up to 6 feet, and old lightbulbs changed out to build a sense that the facility is cared for. 

Does “Certainty of Punishment” increase or decrease the likelihood of crime?

It should decrease the likelihood of crime because rational thought criminals would decide that the likelihood of being punished outweighs the benefits of committing the crime. Crime persists because criminals believe that there is only a small chance that they will be arrested and that police officers are sometimes reluctant to make arrests and that they might receive lenient punishment. 

What are informal sanctions?

Disapproval, stigma or anger directed toward an offender by significant others like parents, peers , neighbours and teachers. May have more of a deterrent effect because people fear the rejection and judgement of those who are close to them.