Details Title: Criminology Description: Exam 1 - Ch. 2 Total Flash Cards: 13 Created: 09/25/2007 20:42:26		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Sociology Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term crime myth Definition a widespread but inaccurate belief about crime Term crime wave Definition a sudden and often distorted focus of the news media on one or more types of criminal behavior Term democratic theory Definition the view that elected officials should represent the interests fo all people in a democracy Term fear of crime Definition concern or worry over becoming a crime victim Term individual characteristics Definition personal traits that influence the likelihood of committing a crime or becoming a crime victim Term news media Definition the members of the mass media transmitting information about current events Term public opinion Definition the views and attitudes of the public on important social, political, and economic issues Term public policy Definition government efforts to deal with public issues and societal needs Term punitiveness Definition public judgments of appropriate punishment for convicted criminals Term racial prejudice Definition unfavorable views toward a certain category of people because of their race Term sentencing preferences Definition public views of appropriate legal punishment for given crimes Term seriousness of crime Definition opinions regarding the importance of or degree of harm associated with given crimes Term structural factors Definition aspects of the social structure