16 Questions
What is considered a crime according to Tappan's 1947 definition?
An intentional act in violation of the criminal law
What is the main argument against the idea that crime is an inherent characteristic of an act?
Crime is a social construct
Why is it incorrect to say that crime is a fixed or inherent characteristic of an act?
Because laws change over time
What is an example of how society collectively chooses what is criminal?
The introduction of anti-smacking laws
Who defines what is criminal according to the text?
Both society and higher-ups
What is the main difference between Tappan's and Sutherland and Cressey's definitions of crime?
Tappan's definition emphasizes the role of the state, while Sutherland and Cressey's definition focuses on the creation of laws
What is an example of how higher-ups can define what is illegal?
The government banning gang patches in public places
What is the main idea behind the social constructivist approach to understanding crime?
Crime is socially created or structured
What is the primary source of official information about crime in New Zealand?
Police crime statistics
What is a limitation of using incarceration rates to measure crime?
Many criminals are not caught or punished to the full extent of the law
What do official crime statistics measure?
The number of crimes reported and recorded by the police
Why do crime rates fluctuate?
Changes in the reporting of crime
What is the approximate incarceration rate in New Zealand?
158 people in prison per 100,000
What is one purpose of crime statistics?
To gauge the extent of the crime problem
What type of crime is commonly reported in New Zealand?
All of the above
Why do crime statistics often make the news headlines?
When crime is increasing, but not when it is decreasing or staying the same
Study Notes
Definition of Crime
- Crime is an intentional act in violation of the criminal law, committed without defense or excuse, and penalized by the state as a felony or misdemeanor (Tappan, 1947)
- Crime is not a crime unless it is prohibited by criminal law, which is defined by public authority and applies uniformly to all members of society (Sutherland and Cressey, 1970)
- Crime is socially constructed, and there is no behavior or act that is inherently criminal
Limitations of the Definition
- Unintentional acts may not be considered criminal
- Criminal acts that are not detected and punished by the state may not be considered criminal
- People who have served their sentence may still be considered criminals
- Things considered criminal that are not prohibited by law may not be considered criminal
Social Construction of Crime
- Crime is brought into existence by society defining certain behavior as illegal
- Society identifies behavior as immoral or problematic and labels it as criminal
- The higher-ups in society can define what is criminal, even if it is not a collective vote
Measuring Crime
- Crime is a significant issue, often measured using legalistic definitions
- Official crime statistics are used to gauge the extent of the problem
- Sources of crime statistics include police, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, Oranga Tamariki, and Department of Statistics
- Incarceration rates in New Zealand: 158 people in prison per 100,000
Official Crime Statistics
- Official crime statistics show details about crimes reported and recorded, including types of crimes, location, and time
- They do not measure the number of criminals
- They represent official levels of known crime, detected by, or reported to, the police
Crime Rates
- Crime rates rely on official crime statistics produced by the police
- Official crime statistics make the news headlines and feed political rhetoric
- Changes in crime rates can be influenced by factors such as reporting and policing practices
Explore the concept of crime, its definition, and the various aspects that contribute to its complexity, including intentional and unintentional acts, detection, and punishment.
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