CRIM 1001 FINAL EXAM DEFINITIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A)
crime - ANSWER-behaviour that violates the criminal law.
-for sociologists and criminologists crime is a social construct and its definition changes
depending on the historical time and place.
criminogenic - ANSWER-aims to understand what individual, relational and
environmental factors may produce criminal behaviour.
criminology - ANSWER-the scientific study of crime, criminology and the societal and
institutional response to this through the criminal justice system, media etc.
critical criminology - ANSWER-a theoretical paradigm that challenges traditional
understandings about criminology, bringing into view decisions about what acts are
defined as crime and ways different groups of people possess differently through the
criminal justice system.
ethnographic research - ANSWER-the researcher enters into the natural setting and
becomes directly exposed to respondents' lives
ie; researcher who works as a bouncer for violence at bars/clubs/pubs etc.
interdisciplinary - ANSWER-represents approaches to social inquiry based on a
common framework that is understood from a variety of disciplines simultaneously.
legalistic definition of crime - ANSWER-an intentional act by an individual that is a
violation of criminal law.
positivism - ANSWER-based on principles that science could measure phenomena,
make universal explanations about a particular phenomenon, and ultimately find a
solution.
victim surveys - ANSWER-the objective of these surveys is to provide estimates of
personal experiences of victimization.
anomie - ANSWER-a social condition where social control breaks down/norms. people
lack guidelines for behaviour and experience a high level of confusion about basic
social norms.
-sometimes people can respond in criminal/deviant ways.
, classical theory - ANSWER-based on the view that it is better to prevent crime than
punish it and punishment although necessary to deter criminal behaviour is unsavoury
no matter how it is administered.
-various types of negative sanctions discourage or deter criminal behaviour.
consensus theory - ANSWER-a general body of theories based on overreacting
assumption that morality rules that proscribe behaviour are natural, universal and
unchanging.
-crimes are behaviours that are repugnant to all elements of society
looking-glass self - ANSWER-a term coined by Charles H. Cooley (1864-1929) that
describes the relationship between the individual and society, sense of self as derived
from how others perceive us.
master status - ANSWER-status that holds highest perceived importance.
-individual is primarily judged by this status regardless of personal or social attributions.
moral entrepreneur - ANSWER-term used by Howard Becker to describe people who
take a lead role in crusading for a rule or the rules to deal with perceived social evil.
outsiders - ANSWER-term used by Howard Becker to describe rule-breakers who are
labelled and who internalize/accept that label.
-view themselves as outside mainstream society.
differential association theory - ANSWER-argues that people learn to be deviant when
more of their associates favour deviance than favour conformity.
-person becoming influenced by deviant behaviour, then learning that from the
influencer.
Human Genome Project - ANSWER-an international genetics program funded primarily
funded by U.S departments of Energy and Health and dedicated to identifying and
mapping all of the human genes that constitute a living human being.
social control theory - ANSWER-presumes that individuals will engage in crime unless
they have moral compass (inner control to avoid criminal behaviour or deterred from
committing crimes due to fear of punishment)
socio-cultural theories - ANSWER-focuses in the field of crime and deviance, on the
context in which and processes by which individuals learn criminal behaviour. cultures
and subcultures are targeted as "transmitters" of deviant values.
status frustration theory - ANSWER-proposes that lower-class youths often do not meet
the attitude and achievement demanded by middle-class culture. frustration results in
lower-class youth forms their own hierarchy and achievements that is based on criteria
of middle-class values.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A)
crime - ANSWER-behaviour that violates the criminal law.
-for sociologists and criminologists crime is a social construct and its definition changes
depending on the historical time and place.
criminogenic - ANSWER-aims to understand what individual, relational and
environmental factors may produce criminal behaviour.
criminology - ANSWER-the scientific study of crime, criminology and the societal and
institutional response to this through the criminal justice system, media etc.
critical criminology - ANSWER-a theoretical paradigm that challenges traditional
understandings about criminology, bringing into view decisions about what acts are
defined as crime and ways different groups of people possess differently through the
criminal justice system.
ethnographic research - ANSWER-the researcher enters into the natural setting and
becomes directly exposed to respondents' lives
ie; researcher who works as a bouncer for violence at bars/clubs/pubs etc.
interdisciplinary - ANSWER-represents approaches to social inquiry based on a
common framework that is understood from a variety of disciplines simultaneously.
legalistic definition of crime - ANSWER-an intentional act by an individual that is a
violation of criminal law.
positivism - ANSWER-based on principles that science could measure phenomena,
make universal explanations about a particular phenomenon, and ultimately find a
solution.
victim surveys - ANSWER-the objective of these surveys is to provide estimates of
personal experiences of victimization.
anomie - ANSWER-a social condition where social control breaks down/norms. people
lack guidelines for behaviour and experience a high level of confusion about basic
social norms.
-sometimes people can respond in criminal/deviant ways.
, classical theory - ANSWER-based on the view that it is better to prevent crime than
punish it and punishment although necessary to deter criminal behaviour is unsavoury
no matter how it is administered.
-various types of negative sanctions discourage or deter criminal behaviour.
consensus theory - ANSWER-a general body of theories based on overreacting
assumption that morality rules that proscribe behaviour are natural, universal and
unchanging.
-crimes are behaviours that are repugnant to all elements of society
looking-glass self - ANSWER-a term coined by Charles H. Cooley (1864-1929) that
describes the relationship between the individual and society, sense of self as derived
from how others perceive us.
master status - ANSWER-status that holds highest perceived importance.
-individual is primarily judged by this status regardless of personal or social attributions.
moral entrepreneur - ANSWER-term used by Howard Becker to describe people who
take a lead role in crusading for a rule or the rules to deal with perceived social evil.
outsiders - ANSWER-term used by Howard Becker to describe rule-breakers who are
labelled and who internalize/accept that label.
-view themselves as outside mainstream society.
differential association theory - ANSWER-argues that people learn to be deviant when
more of their associates favour deviance than favour conformity.
-person becoming influenced by deviant behaviour, then learning that from the
influencer.
Human Genome Project - ANSWER-an international genetics program funded primarily
funded by U.S departments of Energy and Health and dedicated to identifying and
mapping all of the human genes that constitute a living human being.
social control theory - ANSWER-presumes that individuals will engage in crime unless
they have moral compass (inner control to avoid criminal behaviour or deterred from
committing crimes due to fear of punishment)
socio-cultural theories - ANSWER-focuses in the field of crime and deviance, on the
context in which and processes by which individuals learn criminal behaviour. cultures
and subcultures are targeted as "transmitters" of deviant values.
status frustration theory - ANSWER-proposes that lower-class youths often do not meet
the attitude and achievement demanded by middle-class culture. frustration results in
lower-class youth forms their own hierarchy and achievements that is based on criteria
of middle-class values.
