SOCIOL 1A06 Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Deterrence Theory, Social Constructionism
6 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Certainty principle: a component of deterrence theory that argues that it is the probability of punishment, rather than its severity, that dissuades potential offenders from breaking the law. Involves criminal acts that are subject to disagreement about the amount of harm they cause, how wrong they are, and how severely they should be punished. Involves criminal acts that are generally agreed to be seriously harmful, wrong, and deserving of severe penalty. Criminal justice system: comprises the social institutions charged with the task of apprehending, prosecuting, and punishing known offenders. Deterrence theory: argues that the threat of punishment discourages criminal violation. Routine activities theory: argues that in addition to a motivated offender, criminal events require a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. Social constructionism: emphasizes the subjective qualities of crime and deviance, proposing that particular conditions are viewed as problematic only because some people-usually powerful ones-define them as such.
