What is Criminology Part 2

Factors Influencing Behavior and Criminal Justice in South Africa

• Limits of acceptable behavior are primarily determined by societal norms and values.
• Criminal justice in South Africa is mainly influenced by historical, social, and political factors.
• Legislation regarding abortion is controversial due to cultural, religious, and ethical views held by diverse groups.

Legal but Controversial Behaviors

• Behavior considered legal in South Africa but viewed as harmful by some includes the use of certain recreational drugs.
• Multiculturalism in South Africa leads to significant issues with laws being interpreted differently by various cultural groups.

Concepts of Crime

• Edwin Sutherland was particularly concerned with white-collar crime, emphasizing its societal impact.
• The Schwendingers argued that crime should be understood in the context of social justice and not just legal definitions.
• Social deviations are defined as actions that diverge from accepted norms but may not necessarily be illegal.

Understanding Crime and Justice

• The major problem with the nonjuridical concept of crime is its lack of clarity and universality across cultures.
• An example of social deviation could include unconventional lifestyles that, while legal, may provoke societal disapproval.
• A true statement about crime and justice is that they are influenced by social contexts and changing norms.

Global Perspectives on Crime

• An act classified as a crime in one country may be tolerated or even celebrated in another, like certain forms of protest.
• Criminologists face challenges such as varying definitions of crime and the complexities of human behavior when studying criminality.

Heroism vs. Criminality

• Actions perceived as crimes by one group may be regarded as acts of heroism by others, depending on cultural and contextual factors.

Criminology vs. Physics

• The main difference between criminology and physics lies in criminology's focus on human behavior, which is influenced by sociocultural factors rather than solely mathematical laws.

Objectives and Definitions

• The primary objective of criminal justice is to maintain social order and administer justice fairly.
• Statutory law is legislation enacted by a governing body while common law is developed through court decisions and precedents.
• The juridical definition of crime refers to acts that violate statutory laws and are punishable by the state.

Conditions for Crime Classification

• For an act to be considered a crime in the juridical sense, it must be prohibited by law and meet certain elements like intent and consequence.
• A fundamental precept related to crime and punishment is that punishments must fit the crime and aim to rehabilitate offenders.

Studying Deviant Behavior

• Studying deviant behavior, in addition to crime, is important for understanding societal reactions and the broader implications for social justice.
• The nonjuridical approach to criminology focuses on understanding human behavior beyond legal definitions, emphasizing social factors.

Legal Accountability

• The distinction between deliberate intent and negligence lies in the awareness and purposefulness of the actions leading to harm.
• Factors determining accountability include mental state, context of the act, and social factors influencing behavior.

Nonjuridical Understanding of Wrongdoing

• The nonjuridical approach to understanding human wrongdoing and criminal behavior involves examining motivations, societal influences, and the impact of norms on behavior.