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22 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Criminology Definition |
The study of crime. An applied discipline within the human sciences. Its field of study includes the scientific study of crime, offenders and victims, the punishment of offenders (criminal justice system) and the prevention and control of crime |
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The Law Definition |
All forms of law. A law is a written statute enacted by those legislative bodies that have the authority to make law |
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Criminal Law Definition |
Made up of all the legal rules that identify crimes and set down punishments |
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Common Law Definition |
Legal rules that were not originally written down, but have come to be accepted as the law of the land |
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Criminologist's role Definition |
To study, define, describe, interpret, explain and indicate policy directions in respect of crime, criminal behaviour, including the ways in which crime occurs, the causes of crime, the legal aspects of crime and crime control as well as possible solutions to the crime problem |
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Approaches to the study of crime |
Juridical definition The act, the wrongfulness of the act, the element of guilt the element of punishment Non-juridical definition Crime as a violation of behavioural norms, social harm, violation of human rights, social deviance |
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Classical criminology Beccaria and Bentham 3 |
People have free will, choose to commit crime, motivated by pleasure Crime can only be controlled by the fear of criminal sanctions, people avoid pain People are equal in their rights and treatment Focus is the crime act and the law Origin of the concept of deterrence Punishment must be proportionate, just, fair Victims are of no importance |
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Social milieu school of thought Tarde, Guerry and Queteiet 4 |
Based on juridical conception of crime Main focus is on criminal's social environment Assumes that improved conditions will prevent crime Criminal and victim are basically ignored No concern with punishment or rehabilitation |
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Social process approach Definition |
Criminal behaviour is a function of people's interactions with various organisations, institutions and processes in society Focus is on criminal's social environment Improved social conditions will prevent crime Criminal and victim ignored No concern with punishment or rehabilitation |
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Positivism Definition Cesare Lombroso, Enrico Ferri Rafele Garofalo 5 |
Uses natural sciences, rejects free will Human behaviour is a product of social, biological, psychological or economic forces Emphasis on the criminal, not the crime Crime and victimisation may be prevented by medical and psychological treatment Purpose of punishment is to provide treatment and reform |
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Critical Criminology Premises Vold, Quinney, Turk, Walton, Taylor and Young 6 |
Rejects the juridical and crime concept Crime is a rational choice State is selective and biased Economical and political discrimination Lawbreakers are the victims Crime could be prevented by empowering people, repealing unjust laws, and diversion |
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Feminist theory Definition 7 |
Lower crime rate for women can be explained by "second class" economic and social position As women's social roles change and lifestyle becomes more like men's the crime rates should converge. |
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Feminist Approach Key points 7 |
Neither positivists nor critical criminology explains the low crime rates among women Take juridical and non-juridical concepts of crime as their point of departure Focus mainly on discrimination against women in the criminal justice system Highlight hidden crimes against women Consider it unjust to expect victims to protect themselves against crime |
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Post Modernist Definition 8 |
Focus of the use of language by those in power to define crime based on their own values and biases |
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Post Modernist Key points s |
Accepts juridicial and non-juridicial concepts Not bound by a particular school of thought Questions narrow definitions Rejects theories based on class or culture Adopts an integrated approach to crime Focuses on universal factors contribut to crime Victims rights and needs are high priority Transnational and community based policing |
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Radical Theory Definition |
Crime is a product of a capitalist system (rad) |
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Rational Choice Theory Definition |
Crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the potential offender weights up the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act |
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Social Structure approach Definition |
Concentrates on the social structure and organisation of a community with the view that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime |
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African Approach Definition |
To prevent and control crime, it is considered important to eradicate poverty and empower the community. Mushanga and Kibuka |
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African crime prevention Proposal |
Compulsory education for all Eradication of poverty and unemployment Cleaning up of slums Restoration of family values and norms |
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South African Crime Factors affecting |
Destruction of social control Political culture of violence and crime Justification of crime in political terms Political conflict and competition Absence of national consensus on crime Poverty, unemployment etc Because: Aparthd Certain socio economic developments marginalisation of youth |
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South African Crime Factors affecting |
Inadequate support for victims Vigilantism, revenge and self-defence units Specific socio-psychological factors Ready access to firearms Gender inequality |
