Straight to Jail
This term refers to a crime that is punishable by incarceration for more than a year
What is a felony?
Behavior that violates social norms but is not necessarily illegal
What is deviance?
A killing that occurs without intent or premeditation
What is manslaughter?
Unequal access to resources based on social position
What is inequality?
Favoring information that confirms existing beliefs
What is confirmation bias?
When someone commits a new crime after being convicted of one or more previous crimes, they are considered this
What is a repeat offender?
(also take recidivism)
This sociologist argued that deviance is a normal and necessary part of society
Who is Émile Durkheim?
Evidence based on inference rather than direct observation
What is circumstantial evidence?
Groups with more power are less likely to be punished for the same behavior due to this
What is privilege?
Judging likelihood based on how easily examples come to mind
What is the availability heuristic?
This principle means the punishment should fit the seriousness of the crime
What is proportionality?
This perspective says society creates “criminals” by labeling people.
What is labeling theory?
(also accept Self-Fulfilling Prophecy)
A person who commits multiple crimes over a short time period
What is a spree offender?
This theory argues crime and punishment reflect struggles over power
What is conflict theory?
Relying too heavily on the first piece of information you receive
What is anchoring?
The idea that harsher punishments prevent crime by discouraging potential offenders
What is deterrence?
This theory argues that deviance results from the failure of social institutions to provide legitimate means to achieve goals
What is strain theory?
Making judgments based on first impressions or stereotypes
What is the representativeness heuristic?
When social institutions reinforce inequality rather than reduce it
What is structural inequality?
Attributing others’ actions to character while ignoring situational factors
What is the fundamental attribution error?
A crime that is illegal only because a law says so (not because it’s inherently immoral).
What is a mala prohibita offense?
This happens when behaviors once seen as deviant become socially acceptable over time
What is norm shifting?
Media-driven fear that exaggerates the prevalence of crime
What is moral panic?
The process by which powerful groups define what counts as deviant
What is social control?
Believing “people like me” are less likely to commit crime
What is in-group bias?