Compare Criminal Behaviour and Deviance

Compare Criminal Behaviour and Deviance

How would you define criminal and deviant behaviour? Use examples if you can

Question

What would you say society's attitude generally is towards:

- Smoking

- Tattoos 

- Excessive drinking 

- Drug use

Should they be crimes?

Definitions

What is Criminal Behaviour

In the exam you may be asked to define criminal and / or deviant behaviour.

Criminal behaviour is quite complicated to define. There are different types of definitions which vary according to different societies and over time and place.

We will look at a social definition and a legal definition of crime.

Criminal Behaviour - Social Definition

Blackburn (1993) defines crimes as ‘acts attracting legal punishment […] offences against the community.’ Crimes have consequences that are injurious in some way to the community at large or one or more people within it.

Can you think of any examples

Criminal Behaviour - Legal Definition

In England laws are democratically elected by Government. If these laws are broken, there are punishments. 

Generally, a person will only be found guilty if they had intention to commit the crime or knew the possibility of the outcome occurring. 

Actus reus- the physical act of the crime

Mens rea- the intention to commit the crime. Both must be proven for guilt.

Criminal Behaviour - Legal Definition

if actus reus and mens rea are present a person may not be guilty if they have a legal defence

e.g. insanity or self defence

Deviance - Definition

Behaviour that goes against social norms of a specific group or society, which causes some kind of disapproval

Deviance - Norms

Social expectations that guide behaviour

Norms can vary from culture to culture 

e.g. in UK we often wear black for funerals but in China they usually wear white

Deviance - Moral Codes

Morals/good ways of behaving

Breaking a moral code would be considered serious in society 

Can you think of an example of behaviour that would break your moral code?

Deviance - Values

Rules shared by most people in a society 

What people feel should happen

More general guidelines than norms

e.g. most people feel we should respect the elderly

Deviance

Not all deviant behaviour is bad, although it may go against social norms

e.g. heroically risking your life to save someone elses

Sanctions

What is a sanction?

A sanction is another term for punishment. There are two types:

- Formal sanction - 'official' punishments recognised and enforced by authorities e.g. imprisonment

- Informal sanction - 'unofficial' punishments enforced by social norms and expectations e.g. shaming

Criminal Behaviour- Formal Sanctions

Cautions

• given by police for minor crimes like graffiti
• you have to admit an offence and agree to be cautioned, otherwise you could be arrested for the offence
• this is not a criminal conviction

Criminal Behaviour - Formal Sanctions

Penalty notices

- Given for offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis, or being drunk and disorderly in public

- You can only get a penalty notice if you are aged 18 or over

Criminal Behaviour - Formal Sanctions

Custodial Sentences

- Where a person is sentenced to serve time in a prison 

- Different types of custodial sentences. Length of time and conditions can differ

- This is based on severity of offence and legal guidelines

Criminal Behaviour - Formal Sanctions

Community Sentences

- Can include unpaid work, probation, curfew and orders such as drug testing or rehabilitation

Criminal Behaviour - Formal Sanctions

Fines

- Financial penalties

- Amount depends on seriousness of the offence and financial circumstances of the offender

Acts

Can you think of 5 behaviours that are deviant