AC1.1 - Compare Criminal Behaviour and Deviance
Criminal Behaviour
Social definition - sometimes a crime is a label from social interaction or a wrong against the
community. If a society deems something to be a crime it becomes one. For example having
sex with an underaged child in the UK is a crime but in other countries child marriage is
acceptable - In Nigeria 18% of girls are married by the time they are 15.
Legal definition - behaviour that breaks the law and which you can be punished for - theft,
fraud, murder. In law, a crime must have both the mens rea and actus reus for a person to
be found guilty.
Formal sanctions against criminals
Cautions - given by the police for minor crimes like vandalism. In order to receive a caution
you have to admit to the offence and agree to be cautioned, otherwise you face being
arrested. A caution is not a criminal conviction
Conditional Cautions - also given by the police, but you are required to agree to certain
rules and limitations, for example receiving treatment for drug use.
Penalty notices - given to offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis or being drunk
in public. You can only receive a penalty notice if you are over 18
Custodial Sentences - where you are sent to prison for a fixed amount of time.
Community Sentences - includes unpaid work, probation, curfews and orders such as drug
testing and treatment.
Fines - financial penalties, where the amount is decided based on how serious the offence is
and the financial circumstances of the offender.
Discharge - either conditional or absolute. If conditional than the offender cannot reoffend
during a set time period otherwise they will be given another sentence, and absolute where
there is no punishment or conditions put upon the offender.
Types of Criminal Acts
Type of criminal act Examples
Fatal offences Murder, manslaughter
Non-fatal offences Assault, battery
Offences against property Theft, robbery
Criminal Behaviour
Social definition - sometimes a crime is a label from social interaction or a wrong against the
community. If a society deems something to be a crime it becomes one. For example having
sex with an underaged child in the UK is a crime but in other countries child marriage is
acceptable - In Nigeria 18% of girls are married by the time they are 15.
Legal definition - behaviour that breaks the law and which you can be punished for - theft,
fraud, murder. In law, a crime must have both the mens rea and actus reus for a person to
be found guilty.
Formal sanctions against criminals
Cautions - given by the police for minor crimes like vandalism. In order to receive a caution
you have to admit to the offence and agree to be cautioned, otherwise you face being
arrested. A caution is not a criminal conviction
Conditional Cautions - also given by the police, but you are required to agree to certain
rules and limitations, for example receiving treatment for drug use.
Penalty notices - given to offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis or being drunk
in public. You can only receive a penalty notice if you are over 18
Custodial Sentences - where you are sent to prison for a fixed amount of time.
Community Sentences - includes unpaid work, probation, curfews and orders such as drug
testing and treatment.
Fines - financial penalties, where the amount is decided based on how serious the offence is
and the financial circumstances of the offender.
Discharge - either conditional or absolute. If conditional than the offender cannot reoffend
during a set time period otherwise they will be given another sentence, and absolute where
there is no punishment or conditions put upon the offender.
Types of Criminal Acts
Type of criminal act Examples
Fatal offences Murder, manslaughter
Non-fatal offences Assault, battery
Offences against property Theft, robbery
