Intro to Criminology – Final Exam Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Intro to Criminology final exam study guide, helping to understand definitions, theories, and classifications related to criminology.

Criminology

The scientific study of crime, criminals, and criminal behavior, including causes, patterns, and social responses.

Criminal Justice

The system of institutions (police, courts, corrections) that responds to crime.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms; varies by time, place, and context.

Laws

Formal rules enforced by the state.

Crime

Behavior that violates criminal law.

Mala in Se

Acts that are inherently wrong (e.g., murder, rape).

Mala Prohibita

Acts that are wrong because they are illegal (e.g., drug use, traffic violations).

UCR Part I Index Offenses

Categories of serious crimes used by the FBI: violent and property crimes.

Violent Crime

Includes homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Property Crime

Includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

UCR / NIBRS

Based on police reports; measures crime using long-term trend data.

NIBRS

Collects incident-level data and does not use the hierarchy rule.

NCVS

Victim survey of households that captures crimes not reported to police.

Dark Figure of Crime

Crimes that occur but are not reported; more than 50% go unreported.

Triangulation

Using multiple methods (UCR/NIBRS + NCVS + qualitative data) to study crime.

Consensus View

Law reflects shared values; crime harms society.

Conflict View

Laws reflect the interests of the powerful; crime definitions are political.

Correlates of Crime

The factors including age, gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and location related to crime.

Differential Association Theory

Crime is learned through interaction with others.

Labeling Theory

Being labeled 'criminal' increases future offending.

Anomie Theory

Emphasis on economic success over moral values promotes crime.

Routine Activities Theory

Crime occurs when there is a motivated offender, suitable target, and absence of a capable guardian.

White-Collar Crime

Nonviolent crimes committed for financial gain.

Occupational Crime

Crime for personal gain committed during the course of one's occupation.

Corporate Crime

Crime for organizational benefit.

Organizational Crime

Crime resulting from organizational goals/structure.

Cressey’s Triangle

Three factors of embezzlement: Pressure, Opportunity, Rationalization.

Political Crime

Crimes against the state or by the state, motivated by ideology.

Terrorism

Violence used to achieve political goals.

Types of Terrorism

Includes revolutionary (against the state) and repressive (by the state) terrorism.

Myth of Peaceful Progress

The idea that states are major perpetrators of violence.

Organized Crime

Structured group engaging in ongoing criminal activity, using violence, corruption, and illicit markets.