Defining Deviance and Criminal Behavior
This page explores the definitions of deviance and criminal behavior, highlighting the key differences between these two concepts in criminology.
Deviance is categorized into three types:
- Unusual and good behavior (e.g., heroic acts)
- Unusual and eccentric behavior (e.g., talking to trees)
- Unusual and disapproved behavior (e.g., unprovoked physical attacks)
Criminal behavior is defined in two ways:
- Legal Definition: Actions forbidden by criminal law, typically involving actus reus and mens rea
- Social Definition: Considers varying views on what constitutes criminal behavior, law enforcement, and public opinion on criminalization
Definition: Crime and deviance criminology studies the relationship between criminal acts and behaviors that violate social norms.
The page also introduces formal sanctions against criminals, including custodial sentences, community sentences, and police sanctions. It explains the difference between crime and deviance with examples, such as summary offenses and indictable offenses.
Example: Speeding is a criminal act, while queue jumping is considered deviant but not criminal.
Vocabulary: Actus reus refers to the "guilty act," while mens rea means "guilty mind" in Latin, both essential components in defining criminal behavior.
The document further elaborates on norms, values, and moral codes, providing examples for each:
- Norm: Queuing in an orderly fashion in the UK
- Value: Respect for human life
- Moral code: Police code of ethics
Highlight: Understanding the distinctions between norms, values, and moral codes is crucial for comprehending social control mechanisms in criminology.
The page concludes with a comprehensive list of key vocabulary terms essential for studying crime and deviance sociology, including formal sanctions, social control, and various types of criminal offenses.
Quote: "Formal sanction - Punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. Imposed by official bodies e.g., courts, schools etc."
This detailed overview provides a solid foundation for understanding the complex relationship between criminal behavior and deviance in society, essential for students of criminology and sociology.
