Chapter 4

Crime and ViolenceKey Terms

  transnational crime

Offenses whose inception, prevention, and/or direct or indirect effects involve more than one country.

crime A violation of a federal, state, or local criminal law.

  crime rate

Number of crimes per 100,000 population. 

clearance ratesMeasure the percentage of cases in which an arrest and official charge have been made and turned over to the courts.

  strain theory

When legitimate means of acquiring culturally defined goals are limited by the structure of society, the resulting strain may lead to crime.

subcultural theoryCertain groups or subcultures in society have values and attitudes that are conducive to crime and violence.

control theory Bond between individuals and society constrains some individuals from violating social norms.

labeling theoryBeing labeled as deviant often leads to further deviant behavior.

  differential association

Through interaction with others, individuals learn the values and attitudes associated with crime as well as the techniques and motivations for criminal behavior.

index offensesThe most serious crimes in the U.S.

  acquaintance rape

Rape committed by someone the victim knows.

classic rapeRapist was a stranger who used a weapon and the attack resulted in serious bodily injury.

  victimless crime

Illegal activities that have no complaining party.

organized crime Criminal activity conducted by members of a hierarchically arranged structure devoted primarily to making money through illegal means.

  white-collar crime

Crimes committed in course of employment or by corporations in the interest of maximizing profit.  

corporate violence The production of unsafe products and failure of corporations to provide safe working environment for employees.

computer crimeAny law violation in which a computer is the target or means of criminal activity.

racial profiling Targeting suspects based on race status.

deterrenceThe use of harm or threat of harm to prevent unwanted behaviors. 

rehabilitationHelping offenders rehabilitate using education and job training, individual and group therapy, substance abuse counseling, and behavior modification.

  incapacitation

Putting offender in prison.

Brady BillPassed in 1993, requires 5-day waiting period on handgun purchases so sellers can do a background check on the buyer.

restorative justiceA philosophy primarily concerned with repairing the victim-offender-community relation, a direct response to the concerns of an adversarial criminal justice system that encourages offenders to deny, justify, or otherwise avoid taking responsibility for their actions.