Important Terms in Criminology 1

[Mudassir]

Important Terms in Criminology 1:

What is Criminology?

An academic discipline, adopting an integrated and scientific approach to the study of the nature, extent, cause and control of criminal behavior.
the study of criminal behavior and
society's reaction to law violations and violators
(Overlap with criminal justice)

Theories of Crime Causation

Individual- biological, psychological
Society- social cl**** interactions & power & control
Multiple Causes- develop over life span

What is a Crime?

An act deemed socially harmful or dangerous, that is specifically defined, prohibited and punished under the criminal law. theft, rape, murder

Deviance

Behavior that departs from social norms

Norms

rules and expectations for behavior for members of society. changes over time.

Crime

Deviant act becomes crime when deemed socially harmful or dangers; then defined, prohibited and punished under criminal law

Reactions to deviance and crime: social control:

the ability of the group to influence the behavior of other people

Sanctions

the reactions or consequences of violating a norm or law

Informal social control

is response to deviance (norm violation)
Criticism
Shunning
Laughter, etc.

Formal social control

is response to violating law
Arrest
Fines
Jail or prison, etc.

Law:

norms for behavior (what we should not do) designed, maintained and enforced by the political authority (government) of a society

From norm to crime:

ciggerettes

Visible Crime

offenses against persons and property committed primarily by members of the lower class.
Often called "street crime" or "ordinary crime."
Most upsetting to the public. can be divided into three categories: property, violent, unorganized.

Crimes of violence

murder, sexual assault, assault and battery, robbery, hate crimes. Happens when someone knows victim; not usually strangers. serial: far apart murder. mass murder: virgina tech. sexual assult: physical attack or think they'll be attacked. Rape: male on male, female on femal, date rape, rape in marriages. Robbery: "give me your purse"!!

Property crime

eco offender wants to gain or destroy property. Larceny/theft, burglary: entering a place to commit a felony; a place you shouldn't be. motor vehicle theft, arson. Property crime highest

Public order crime

a.k.a. victimless crimes includes disorderly conduct, prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use. ONly offender is harmed.

White collar and corporate crime

a.k.a. occupational crime includes mail theft, forgery, securities fraud

Organized crime

Involved in gambling, illegal drugs, loan sharking

High tech and cyber crime

Includes use of internet, identity theft, crimes involving computers. against person: cyber harrassment, viruses. govt : cyber terrorism. political: terrorism, treason, esponage, voter fraud

Consensus View

Law defines crime. Agreement exists on outlawed behavior. Crime is deviance that creates social harm. Crime and punishment reflect mainstream beliefs. Laws apply to all equally

Conflict View

Law is a tool of the ruling class. Crime is politically defined. Crime is behavior that threatens dominance of those with power. "Real Crimes" are not outlawed. Law is used to control the underclass

Interactionist View

People with social and moral power define crime. Moral entrepreneurs define crime. Crimes are illegal because society defines them that way. Criminal labels are life transforming events

Siegal's integrated Definition of crime:

Crime is a violation of societal rules of behavior as interpreted and expressed by the criminal law, which reflects public opinion, traditional values and the viewpoint of people currently holding social and political power. Individuals who violate these rules are subject to sanctions by state authority, social stigma, and loss of status196200225