Exam 2: What Is Crime

In ___________ theory, the definition of crime focuses on conflicts that arise in capitalist society.

According to critical criminologists, the definition of crime should be expanded to include the socially injurious activities of powerful groups against the powerless as well as behavior that violates or intrudes upon others' human rights.

Crimes are not produced by legislation alone. In fact, judicial interpretation also determines what is or is not crime. Judicial decisions can also be___________.

___________ are intentional acts or omissions in violation of criminal law, committed without defense or justification, and sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor.

When power is determined by wealth, the conflict is considered class based. Analysis of this type of conflict is founded on principles outlined by nineteenth-century social philosopher ___________. In this conflict theory, the definition of crime focuses on conflicts that arise in capitalist society.

An important consideration when defining crime is the observation that crime is contextual. Criminal harm takes different forms depending on the historical period, specific context, social setting, location, or situation in which it occurs.

Crimes of the ___________ are those crimes for which those in relatively weak economic and political positions in society are predominantly arrested.

Some theorists define crime as 'a political tool used to protect power, wealth, and position in a society.' This power-and-wealth version of conflict theory has been termed ___________ criminology. This is because it criticizes the overall kind of society in which we live and suggests we replace it with a socialist system.

___________ theory is based on the idea that, rather than being similar, people are different and struggle over their differences. According to this theory, society is made up of groups that compete with one another over scarce resources. The conflict over different interests produces differing definitions of crime. These definitions are determined by the group in power and are used to further its needs and consolidate its power.

With regard to victimizations not reported to the police between the years of 2006 and 2010, the crime of ___________ is the most reported crime.

Postmodernism is a perspective that rejects claims that any body of knowledge is true or can be true. Instead, its advocates believe that "claims to know" are simply power plays by some to dominate others.

Crimes of the powerful are crimes committed by people who are in relatively strong legitimate economic and political positions in society.

The consensus approach refers to definitions of crime based on the belief that society is composed of different interest groups. These various groups are in competition with one another, and the competition is most pronounced between the powerful and powerless.