Criminology
Unit 2
,AC1.1 compare criminal and
deviant behaviour
, Social definition of criminal behaviour- a wrongful action that goes against society's norms and values
AC1.1 Compare Legal definition- any action that is forbidden by criminal law and punishable by the state/legal system
and the offender has a mens rea and actus reus
criminal behaviour Variety of criminal acts- murder, assault, fraud, rape, knife crime,
Summary offence= less serious offence (speeding, parking tickets)
and deviance Indictable offence= more serious offence (rape, murder, armed robbery)
Main indictable offence types: violence against the person, sexual offences, offence against property,
fraud and forgery, criminal damage, drug offences, public order offences
Formal sanctions against criminals- (court sanctions, police sanctions)
Court sanctions: custodial sentences
When a convict must be held in custody (jail or otherwise). This can be an indeterminate
sentence (a sentence without a set release date due to the court thinking you will be a danger)
Court sanctions: community sentences
When you are convicted of a crime but spend time working in/with a community or paying a
fine, instead of going to jail. For example, unpaid work, having a curfew, exclusion from specific areas,
community cleaning (for crimes: theft, non-grievous assault, drink driving). The size of a fine depends
on: severity, repeat offence, ability to pay.
Conditional discharge- no sanction UNLESS they commit another crime in a given period of
time.
Absolute discharge- too minor to give a sanction
Police sanction
A caution- a waning given to someone of 10+ years. Not a conviction but must admit offence
Mens rea= guilty mind Conditional caution- person must stick to certain conditions, if they dont they will be charged
Actus reus= guilty act Penalty notice- you pay a penalty/fine and if you refuse you go to trial. Not convicted
, AC1.1 Compare DEVIANCE- any behaviour that differs from normal (hugging trees, littering)
criminal behaviour Norms- specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people's
behaviour in particular situations (e.g. not interrupting, respect personal
and deviance
space)
Moral codes- a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an
individual/group/organisation/society
Values- general principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. (e.g.
honesty, fairness, respectful)
Informal sanctions- break unspoken rules that are not written down formally,
people show disapproval when these rules are broken
Formal sanctions- formal written rules or laws imposed by official bodies
(police, court etc)
All sanctions are a form of social control
Forms of deviance- slapping someone, pushing in a queue, swearing,
touching others food, cheating in a board game.
3 types:
good , bad, unusual
Unit 2
,AC1.1 compare criminal and
deviant behaviour
, Social definition of criminal behaviour- a wrongful action that goes against society's norms and values
AC1.1 Compare Legal definition- any action that is forbidden by criminal law and punishable by the state/legal system
and the offender has a mens rea and actus reus
criminal behaviour Variety of criminal acts- murder, assault, fraud, rape, knife crime,
Summary offence= less serious offence (speeding, parking tickets)
and deviance Indictable offence= more serious offence (rape, murder, armed robbery)
Main indictable offence types: violence against the person, sexual offences, offence against property,
fraud and forgery, criminal damage, drug offences, public order offences
Formal sanctions against criminals- (court sanctions, police sanctions)
Court sanctions: custodial sentences
When a convict must be held in custody (jail or otherwise). This can be an indeterminate
sentence (a sentence without a set release date due to the court thinking you will be a danger)
Court sanctions: community sentences
When you are convicted of a crime but spend time working in/with a community or paying a
fine, instead of going to jail. For example, unpaid work, having a curfew, exclusion from specific areas,
community cleaning (for crimes: theft, non-grievous assault, drink driving). The size of a fine depends
on: severity, repeat offence, ability to pay.
Conditional discharge- no sanction UNLESS they commit another crime in a given period of
time.
Absolute discharge- too minor to give a sanction
Police sanction
A caution- a waning given to someone of 10+ years. Not a conviction but must admit offence
Mens rea= guilty mind Conditional caution- person must stick to certain conditions, if they dont they will be charged
Actus reus= guilty act Penalty notice- you pay a penalty/fine and if you refuse you go to trial. Not convicted
, AC1.1 Compare DEVIANCE- any behaviour that differs from normal (hugging trees, littering)
criminal behaviour Norms- specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern people's
behaviour in particular situations (e.g. not interrupting, respect personal
and deviance
space)
Moral codes- a set of basic rules, values and principles held by an
individual/group/organisation/society
Values- general principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives. (e.g.
honesty, fairness, respectful)
Informal sanctions- break unspoken rules that are not written down formally,
people show disapproval when these rules are broken
Formal sanctions- formal written rules or laws imposed by official bodies
(police, court etc)
All sanctions are a form of social control
Forms of deviance- slapping someone, pushing in a queue, swearing,
touching others food, cheating in a board game.
3 types:
good , bad, unusual
