CRJS 1001 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE (GRADED A+).
What is Criminology?
the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon; the process of making law, breaking
law, and reaction to breaking law; objective is to develop of general and verified principles
Why study crime?
Very important for aspects of social life, tells us about society, helps figure out ways to reduce crime as
it affects us directly and indirectly
Define crime (non-legal)
When someone breaks the rules that are set by the society they live in
Define crime (legal)
An act or omission that violates the criminal law and is punishable with a jail term, fine, and/or some
other sanction
Consensus Approach
Society as a consensus determines what behaviours are criminal, crime is a breach of the social contract
because it violates social norms, values, and agreements
Conflict Approach
Crime is a result of structural inequalities within society, laws therefore used as a tool by the higher
more powerful people to have control over the less privileged, crime can be a response to oppression,
law often reflects the interest of the dominant group
Biological Approach
Crime is abnormal and can be identified and eliminated (Lombroso), criminals are not as evolved as non-
criminals, problem → eugenics
Sociological Approach
Crime is normal (Durkheim) but offends certain collective feelings and calls forth a strong reaction from
society, crime is a product of society and does not reside in the individual
Legalistic Approach
Violations/transgressions of legal code that are an offence against society and not just individuals
What is one way that crime is framed?
The media is key → moral panic, representation of groups, creates Othering (criminals are different than
us), and filters out upper-class crime
How are crimes classified?
UPDATE (GRADED A+).
What is Criminology?
the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon; the process of making law, breaking
law, and reaction to breaking law; objective is to develop of general and verified principles
Why study crime?
Very important for aspects of social life, tells us about society, helps figure out ways to reduce crime as
it affects us directly and indirectly
Define crime (non-legal)
When someone breaks the rules that are set by the society they live in
Define crime (legal)
An act or omission that violates the criminal law and is punishable with a jail term, fine, and/or some
other sanction
Consensus Approach
Society as a consensus determines what behaviours are criminal, crime is a breach of the social contract
because it violates social norms, values, and agreements
Conflict Approach
Crime is a result of structural inequalities within society, laws therefore used as a tool by the higher
more powerful people to have control over the less privileged, crime can be a response to oppression,
law often reflects the interest of the dominant group
Biological Approach
Crime is abnormal and can be identified and eliminated (Lombroso), criminals are not as evolved as non-
criminals, problem → eugenics
Sociological Approach
Crime is normal (Durkheim) but offends certain collective feelings and calls forth a strong reaction from
society, crime is a product of society and does not reside in the individual
Legalistic Approach
Violations/transgressions of legal code that are an offence against society and not just individuals
What is one way that crime is framed?
The media is key → moral panic, representation of groups, creates Othering (criminals are different than
us), and filters out upper-class crime
How are crimes classified?
