Defining Crime
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 16.1.1
Defining Crime
The definition of what constitutes a crime is dependent on time, culture and age. Forensic psychology uses psychological theories and ideas to explain crime.
Definition of crime
- The definition of crime has changed because of alterations in cultural norms, social norms and moral values.
- The definition of what constitutes a crime is dependent on time, culture and age.
- Crime can be difficult to define because it is dependent on the social norms of the current period of time.
Crimes becoming legal
- Certain acts that were once a crime may now be legal.
- E.g. homosexuality. Homosexuality was illegal up until 1967 in the UK.
- Now, in England, Scotland and Wales, same-sex marriages are permissible and legal.
Legal acts becoming crime
- Certain things that were not a crime are now defined as a crime.
- E.g. smoking in public places. It used to be the social norm to smoke indoors in a pub or on a plane. This is no longer acceptable because of increased awareness of the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Cultural relativism
- Crime is also culturally relative.
- Different cultures have different cultural norms, and so certain acts will be legal in one country but illegal in another. For example:
- Same-sex marriage is legal in the UK, but homosexuality is still illegal in some countries.
- In the UK, a person must be at least 18 years old to marry. In Saudi Arabia, there is no legal minimum.
Relevance of age
- Finally, the definition of crime will depend on the age of the offender.
- A toddler who steals an apple would not be a criminal. This is because intent and deliberation are necessary.
- The toddler may not have known they were committing a crime, so would not be accused of doing so.
- In the UK, children under the age of 10 are not considered legally responsible for any crimes they commit.
Test yourself on Defining Crime
In the UK, children under the age of what are not considered legally responsible for any crimes they commit?