Comparing criminal behaviour and deviance
Norms, values and moral codes
Defining deviance
Defining criminal behaviour
Acts that are criminal
Formal sanctions against criminals
Acts that are both criminal and deviant
Norms - a behaviour or an action that society views as ordinary. They are general principles or guidelines
Values - values are what is right or wrong, immoral or moral for an individual or a society.
Moral codes - a set or basic rules, values and principles held by an individual, group or a society.
i.e. there is a police code that consists of 9 principles; accountability, integrity, openness fairness, leadership, respect, honesty, objectivity and selflessness.
deviance - is a behaviour that goes against social norms. there is 3 types of deviance; bizarre, odd and admirable.
Bizarre behaviour, e.g. talking to trees in a park
Bad behaviour, e.g. physically attacking someone for no reason
Admirable behaviour, e.g. risking one's own life to save anothers.
Informal and formal sanctions against deviance
formal sanctions - imposed by official bodies. Punishments.
Informal sanctions - rules are not written down. i.e. shunning
Positive sanctions - Rewards for behaviour that society approves of. i.e. medal of bravery.
Social control - all sanctions informal/formal, positive/negative are all forms of social control.
form of deviance that harms society and is punishable.
legal definition of criminality -
mens reu - the guilty mind
actus reus - the guilty act
strict liability - mens rea not required - wrongful act on own is enough to convict. i.e. speeding.
self-defence - not a crime as long as as the force was reasonable.
social definition of criminality
differing views - public have a different view on what are 'really' crimes compared with the law. People may not view themselves as criminal
law enforcement - not all laws are enforced, some are low priorities.
law-making - not all acts the public ought to be laws are. Making something illegal depends on who has the power, i.e. the media. Laws can change to reflect public perceptions.
criminal acts are those that break the law.
seriousness of the offence
summary offences - less serious offences, tried by the magistrates.
indictable offences - are most serious offences, tried by the Crown Court before a judge and jury. Sentences are more severe.
Subject matter of the offence
violence against a person
sexual offences
offences against property
fraud and forgery
criminal damage
criminal damage
drug offences
public order offences
penalties that are layed down by the law imposed on those convicted of a crime. Can be imposed by the courts/police.
Court sanctions
Custodial sentences
Community sentences
Fine
Discharge
Police sanctions
caution
penalty notices for disorder
conditional caution
other complications of committing a criminal act
Exclusion from certain occupations
placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR)
banned from travelling or require a special visa
restrictions on adoption, jury service and standing for elected office. declare convictions as well.
not all acts that are crimes are classified as serious. May also not be considered as deviant. Society can be divided on if something is criminal or not.
Acts that people see as deviant aren't always criminal. Some acts can be viewed as morally wrong. Social attitudes change.