Introduction to Criminology - SOC109 Lecture 2

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes mala in se from malum prohibitum offences?

  • Malum prohibitum offences are universally recognized as crimes.
  • Mala in se refers to acts that are wrong by nature, while malum prohibitum refers to acts that are illegal due to law. (correct)
  • Mala in se are always less harmful than malum prohibitum.
  • Malum prohibitum offences are inherently wrong.

Which factor does Hagan's Typology of Deviance NOT consider?

  • The severity of the social response.
  • The effectiveness of the legal system. (correct)
  • The degree of social harm.
  • Agreement about the norm.

Which statement about crime is true regarding its historical and cultural relativity?

  • Crime definitions remain consistent across all cultures.
  • All societies agree on what constitutes a crime.
  • Certain acts may be criminal in one society but legal in another. (correct)
  • Crime is solely determined by the legal system of a country.

What is meant by the concept of criminalization in sociology?

<p>The process where a behaviour is legally defined as a crime. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do folkways differ from mores?

<p>Folkways are less severe than mores and relate more to customs than ethics. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of criminology?

<p>The social and structural causes of crime. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following topics is NOT typically studied by criminologists?

<p>Global economics and trade. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are definitions of crime important in criminological research?

<p>They provide a common understanding of what constitutes a crime. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the current state of criminology?

<p>Interdisciplinary, drawing on various academic fields. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What statement best describes the relationship between crime and deviance?

<p>Crime is a subset of deviance, with some deviant acts being illegal. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to the process of labeling certain activities as illegal?

<p>Criminalization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the lecture, what is the key characteristic of a consensus definition of crime?

<p>It is derived from the values and beliefs held by the majority of people. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is a key issue with common definitions of crime?

<p>They often fail to encompass actions that are considered deviant. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'social construction of crime' primarily suggest concerning the nature of crime?

<p>The definition of crime is influenced by social, historical, and cultural contexts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Hagan's typology, what does the degree of social harm of a behavior relate to?

<p>The objective measure of the impact on victims and society. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates 'mores' from 'folkways'?

<p>Mores are informal rules that are seen as being ethical or unethical, while folkways are general customs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the content imply about the study of crime from a sociological perspective?

<p>It seeks to understand how social structures and processes influence the definition and understanding of crime. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the approach of contemporary criminology?

<p>Drawing from multiple academic disciplines to understand crime. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of having clear definitions in criminology?

<p>To allow for consistent and comparable research studies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'criminalization' refer to within the context of this lecture?

<p>When activities are deemed illegal or when people are treated as criminals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the lecture, what is a key area of focus for criminologists?

<p>The social and structural causes of criminal behavior. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the historical evolution of criminology?

<p>It has moved from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the 2012 study in the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice reveal about journalism practices?

<p>There was a lack of clarity and consistency in how journalists discuss gangs. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which subject area is NOT explicitly stated as an area of interest for criminologists in the lecture?

<p>Political activism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge in assessing the nature and extent of crime in society according to the lecture?

<p>Lack of consensus in crime definitions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mores

Acts that violate commonly held moral standards or ethical principles, but are not necessarily criminal offenses.

Criminalization

The process by which certain behaviors become defined as criminal and subject to legal sanctions.

Hagan's Typology of Deviance

A framework that analyzes different types of deviance based on the level of social harm, societal response, and agreement on a norm.

Social Construction of Crime

The idea that crime is not inherently wrong but is defined by social norms and laws that vary across cultures and time periods.

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Crime

Any act that violates a formal law and is subject to legal punishment.

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What is Criminology?

The scientific study of crime, its causes, the justice system, and society's response.

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Causes of Crime

Criminologists study the factors that create criminal behavior and the social structures that contribute to it.

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Social Views of Crime

Criminologists examine how society perceives and labels crime and criminals.

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Criminology is Interdisciplinary

Criminologists come from diverse fields, like sociology, psychology, law, or economics, bringing different perspectives to crime.

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Gang Terminology

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice found that Canadian journalists often use the term 'gang' inconsistently.

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Criminological Interests

Criminologists have various areas of interest, including crime statistics, prevention, victimization, and the behavior of young offenders.

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Crime is Socially Constructed

The definition of crime is not fixed but determined by society's beliefs and values. Actions become illegal through laws created by the government.

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What causes criminal behaviour?

Criminologists study the social and structural factors that contribute to criminal behaviour.

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How does society view crime?

Criminologists explore how society views crime and individuals who have been labeled as criminals.

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Is Criminology interdisciplinary?

Criminologists come from diverse fields such as sociology, psychology, law, and economics, bringing different perspectives to the study of crime.

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What is criminalization?

The process by which certain behaviours are defined as criminal and subject to legal sanctions.

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How is crime socially constructed?

The definitions of crime are not inherent but are shaped by societal norms and values.

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How is the term 'gang' used inconsistently?

A lack of clarity and consistency in how journalists use the term 'gang' to refer to different groups or situations.

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What are the interests of Criminologists?

Criminologists have various areas of interest, including crime statistics, prevention, victimization, and the behaviour of young offenders.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Criminology and Law and Society - Lecture Two

  • Course name: SOC109
  • Instructor: Professor Julius Haag
  • University: University of Toronto Mississauga
  • Learning Objectives:
    • Definition of Criminology
    • Topics studied by Criminologists
    • Societal labeling of crime and criminals
    • Crime vs. deviance
  • Criminology Definition:
    • Scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal legal system.
  • Criminological Interests:
    • Broadly interested in the social and structural causes of criminal behavior
    • How society views crime and those labeled criminals
    • Varied academic backgrounds
    • Disagreement on causes and consequences of crime
    • Historical multidisciplinary nature compared to contemporary interdisciplinary approach
    • Fear of crime, Victimology, Deviance, Crime Statistics, Crime Prevention, Juvenile Delinquency, Gangs, and more .
  • Definitions Matter:
    • Essential for assessing crime in society
    • Necessary to identify behaviors, individuals, and groups of study
    • Allow comparative scholarship
  • Crime vs. Deviance:
    • Several acts violate folkways or mores but are not criminal
    • Folkways represent daily life customs and norms
    • Mores extend to informal codes related to ethical actions
    • Mores can extend to crime
  • Hagan's Typology of Deviance:
    • Examines whether behaviors are labelled deviant or criminal
    • Considers the degree of social harm, the severity of social response, and agreement about the norm
    • Some crimes are harmful, but consensus is lacking for other behaviors/acts.
  • Thinking Sociologically and Criminologically about Criminalization:
    • Crime is culturally and historically relative
    • Changing societal views can affect how behaviors are considered legal/illegal
    • The concept of criminalization captures how crime and criminals are socially constructed
    • Crime and deviance are examined through a sociological lens
  • Moving Forward:
    • Covers what criminology, crime, and deviance are.
    • Explain the social construction of crime and criminalization
    • How criminologists study crime
  • The Kick Ahead:
    • Types of questions posed by law and society scholars.
    • Methodologies and data sources used .
    • Comparison of concepts of norms and laws
    • Examination of social construction of law and social control

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