WJEC Criminology Unit 2: Crime and Deviance

Overview

• Unit 2 focuses on the examination of crime and deviance.
• Understanding the differences and similarities between crime and deviance is crucial for the exam.

Key Definitions

Crime

• Crime: Violation of laws; actions forbidden by criminal law.
• Requires 'actus reus' (the act) and 'mens rea' (the intention) to constitute crime.

Deviance

• Deviance: Violation of social norms; not all deviance is criminal.
• All crime is deviant, but not all deviance is crime.

Values and Norms

• Values: Principles guiding what is right or wrong (e.g., respect for human life).
• Norms: Specific rules or socially accepted standards (e.g., queuing in the UK).
• Norms can be explicit (laws) or implicit (unwritten rules).

Types of Deviance

• Negative Deviance: Offending norms and moral codes.
• Positive Deviance: Unusual but good behavior (e.g., heroic acts).
• Neutral Deviance: Eccentric or bizarre behavior.

Sanctions

Formal Sanctions

• Imposed by official bodies (e.g., police, courts).
• Types include: fines, imprisonment, community service, discharge.

Informal Sanctions

• Social disapproval shown through non-official means (e.g., dirty looks, social exclusion).

Positive Sanctions

• Rewards for approved behavior (medals, certificates).

Social Control

• Ensures conformity to societal norms and values.
• Includes both formal mechanisms (laws, cameras) and informal ones (social pressure).

Legal Definitions of Crime

Elements

• Actus Reus: The wrongful act.
• Mens Rea: The guilty mind or intention.

Exceptions

• Strict Liability: Only actus reus needed for conviction (e.g., negligence).
• Self-defense: Actus reus present but justified by context.

Types of Criminal Acts

• Violence Against Person: Murder, assault.
• Sexual Offences: Rape, grooming.
• Property Offences: Burglary, theft.
• Fraud and Forgery: Investment fraud.
• Public Order Offences: Riot, disorder.

Sanctions for Criminal Acts

Court-Imposed Sanctions

• Custodial Sentences: Prison time.
• Community Sentences: Non-prison penalties (e.g., tagging, probation).
• Fines: Financial penalties.
• Discharges: Conditional or unconditional, no punishment unless reoffending occurs.

Police-Issued Sanctions

• Cautions: Warnings for minor crimes.
• Penalty Notices: Financial penalties for minor offences.

Implications of Criminal Acts

• Restrictions on certain occupations (e.g., working with young people).
• Possible travel bans, limitations on adoption, jury service.

Crime and Deviance in Society

• Crime and deviance are subject to societal interpretation and can change over time.
• Some acts are viewed differently across different societies (e.g., age of consent).

Conclusion

• Understanding crime and deviance, and their implications, are essential for criminology studies.
• Societal attitudes influence what is considered criminal or deviant, showing the fluid nature of these concepts.