Defining Crime
What framework defines crime strictly by what the law prohibits?
The legalistic framework
This type of survey captures hidden crimes but can suffer from memory errors.
What are victimisation surveys?
Moral panics often focus on these groups portrayed as threats.
Who are folk devils?
This theory says people commit crimes when they believe rewards outweigh risks.
What is Rational Choice Theory?
He argued punishment must be swift, certain, and proportionate.
Who is Beccaria?
Criminalising jaywalking is an example of this idea.
What is over-criminalisation?
The percentage of crimes solved by the police is known as this.
What is the clear-up rate?
The gap between actual crime rates and public fear is often driven by this.
What is media influence?
A juvenile being labelled a “thief” and then continuing to steal illustrates this theory.
What is Labelling Theory?
This philosopher opposed the death penalty and transportation, viewing them as cruel and ineffective.
Who is Bentham?
The idea that “crime has no ontological reality” means what?
Crime is socially constructed.
The “dark figure of crime” refers to what?
Crime that is never reported or recorded.
This media process amplifies deviance by exaggerating it and prompting harsher control.
What is the deviancy amplification spiral?
Crime occurs when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and lack of a guardian converge.
What is the Routine Activities Theory?
Foucault’s idea that surveillance encourages self-discipline is called this.
What is the Panopticon?
In a religious framework, drinking alcohol could be considered a...
What is a crime?
When many cases fail to make it from offence to conviction, this occurs.
What is attrition?
News outlets often prioritise crimes based on these criteria.
What are news values or newsworthiness?
“The devil made me do it” is an example of this type of explanation.
What are spiritual theories?
This principle holds that laws should aim for the greatest good for the greatest number.
What is utilitarianism?
White collar crime being ignored would be an example of this.
What is under-criminalisation?
Domestic violence is often underrepresented in this type of data.
What are police statistics?
Despite declining crime rates in the 1990s, media reported a “crime wave.” This demonstrates what concept?
What is the gap between public perception and actual crime rates?
This theory argues that crime is learned through interactions with peers and environment.
What is Social Learning Theory?
The idea that people don’t always act logically, but with limited decision-making capacity, is called this.
What is bounded rationality?