CRM 1301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Trench Coat, Spurious Relationship, Circular Reasoning
26 Jun 2018
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LECTURE 1: INTRODUCTION TO THEORY
TRUE OR FALSE
Crime is increasing
oFalse
oCrime has been decreasing for the past few decades; however, many don’t
believe that what is happening in society reflects a decreasing crime rate
because of the media.
Most people are victimized by strangers
oFalse
oIndividuals are more likely to be victimized by someone they know
(family member, acquaintance…)
oMany feel that there are higher chances of being victimized by a stranger
because the idea of being victimized by someone we know is
uncomfortable.
oThose that are victimized by someone they know are less likely to report
the victimization in comparison to those who are victimized by a stranger.
oThe crimes that make their way into the news are usually the rare crimes
in which people don’t know each other.
People over 65 are more likely to be victims of crime
oFalse
oIndividuals over the age of 65 years old have the highest FEAR of
victimization and the LOWEST likelihood to be victimized.
oThose between the ages of 18-24 have the HIGHEST rate of victimization
as they are more likely to be present in areas where crime is more likely to
take place. (clubs, downtown…)
oCommercials will instill fear of being victimized
Poor people are much more likely to commit crime than middle-class people
oFalse
oPeople of all social classes – lower, middle, upper – commit crimes. We
are aware of this because of self-report surveys.
oIndividuals of the lower class are more likely to be caught or charged
because individuals in lower classes are more visible to the
police/correctional system.
For example:
An individual of a lower class will smoke weed in a park or on the
streets downtown; making them more vulnerable to conviction.
Individuals of middle and higher class will smoke weed in their
basements; secluding them from the public eye, minimizing their
chances of conviction.
oIndividuals from different economic statuses will commit different types
of crimes.
For example:
Individuals from an upper class will commit more “sophisticated”
crimes such as white collar crimes: money laundering, etc…
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Individuals from a lower class will commit street crimes which are
more visible to the police.
In comparison to more “sophisticated” crimes, street crimes will
have immediate consequences. This means that the media will
show these crimes more often.
Violent crime inflicts the most harm on people in society
oFalse
oThe reality is that corporate crimes are more harmful to society than street
crime.
For example:
A company that produces a lot of pollution which eventually
effects the population surrounding the area of pollution.
A company that does not take the proper safety measure in order to
ensure employee safety. An employee will eventually suffer the
consequences.
oThe impact of corporate crime is gradual whereas the effects of street
crime are instant so people don’t focus on corporate crime.
oViolent crime captures more public attention because it is more interesting
to hear about; therefore, the media will concentrate primarily on violent
crime.
CRIME AND DEVIANCE ARE RELATIVE TO:
1. Time and Place
Crime is dynamic, fluid and ever-changing. It is not static or concrete.
Something could have been a crime in the past but is not a crime today.
For example (time):
oAlcohol consumption
In the 1990s, alcohol consumption and trafficking was
considered a criminal act.
Today in Canada, alcohol consumption is legal at the age of
19. (excl. QC – 18)
oHomosexual Relationships
In the past, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder
and homosexual relations was considered a criminal act.
Today, same sex marriages are legal
oSexual Assault
In 1983, sexually assaulting one’s wife was not considered a
criminal act.
Today, it is considered a crime.
oDiscrimination
In the past, it was accepted for people to discriminate against
others
Today, it is illegal to discriminate
oSmoking
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find more resources at oneclass.com
In the 90s, smoking was legal in public areas.
For example
- The mall
- Restaurants/bars
- Airplanes has designated areas for smokers
Today, it is illegal to smoke indoors
For example (place):
oSingapore
Chewing gum is illegal and those who spit gum out on the
ground will be given a $700 fine. The only gum allowed was
gum prescribed by a doctor.
oSaudi Arabia
It is illegal to consume alcohol
oAmsterdam
Prostitution is legal
Smoking marijuana is legal
- An individual can smoke in yoga studios…
oUSA
Guns are accessible to all in the USA
DO WE USE THEORY IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
Yes, we use theory in our everyday life.
For example
oYou have been dating someone for 8 months and they suddenly dump you
over text. You call you friend and you both THEORISE as to why they
dumped you
COLUMBINE SHOOTING
The Columbine shooting occurred on April 20th 1999. Two school boys, Eric Harris and
Dylan Klebold went on a shooting spree at Columbine High School. They killed thirteen
students and injured more than 20, proceeding to turning the gun on themselves and
committing suicide. There will never be an answer as to why these boys did what they
did (as they are dead), however there is a lot of speculation on the motive of their actions.
Why did this happen? (Theories, however not the confirmed answer:
They felt alienated from their peers and this is how they retaliated. There is
speculation that they were bullied.
They had easy access to fire arms (guns) as they are in the USA.
They had psychological issues.
Both Dylan and Eric were working together. They pressured each other into
committing the act.
They did not have a good family life, cause them to kill others and
themselves.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Crime is increasing: false, crime has been decreasing for the past few decades; however, many don"t believe that what is happening in society reflects a decreasing crime rate because of the media. Poor people are much more likely to commit crime than middle-class people: false, people of all social classes lower, middle, upper commit crimes. We are aware of this because of self-report surveys: individuals of the lower class are more likely to be caught or charged because individuals in lower classes are more visible to the police/correctional system. An individual of a lower class will smoke weed in a park or on the streets downtown; making them more vulnerable to conviction. Individuals of middle and higher class will smoke weed in their basements; secluding them from the public eye, minimizing their chances of conviction: individuals from different economic statuses will commit different types of crimes.
