Elaborate the three views on defining crime. Discuss how and why some behaviors become illegal and are considered crimes, while others remain noncriminal, according to each view. Which of these views do you think fits best with our current system? Give a specific example of a situation that illustrates your argument.
What will be an ideal response?
There are three main views in defining crime. The consensus view rests on the assumption that criminal law has a social control function and crimes are those that are essentially harmful to a majority of citizens and are prohibited by the existing criminal law. This means that the public has essentially reached a consensus on what constitutes crime. The conflict view states that crime is the outcome of class struggle between the rich and poor and the haves and have-nots, resulting in the criminal justice system becoming an instrument of social and economic repression. Finally, the interactionist view of criminal law is structured to reflect preferences and opinions of people who hold social power in particular legal jurisdictions. They are known as moral entrepreneurs and campaign to influence the law to reflect what they believe is immoral and wrong or merely eccentric. Student answers will vary on what best reflects our system, but they could consider issues like Occupy Wall Street (conflict theory) or marijuana legalization (either consensus or interactionist) to support their arguments.
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What is the primary similarity between General Strain Theory and previous strain theories?
a) They all focus on class-based crime. b) They all maintain that stress is a major source of criminal motivation. c) They all posit that all strain is equally disagreeable. d) They all divide strain into two broad categories.
Surrogacy contracts can be either altruistic or commercial.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
Hindelang and his colleagues examined exposure and guardianship as they relate to victimization. They call this theory the _____ approach to victimization, which argues that the likelihood of becoming a victim depends on an individual's lifestyle
a. life b. real c. homogeny d. lifestyle
Approximately _______ percent of inmates are held in medium-security facilities.
A. 33 B. 20 C. 25 D. 45