Glossary

A

Acculturation The process of adapting to a new culture while retaining elements of one’s original culture.

Adversarial System A legal system in which opposing parties present arguments and evidence before an impartial judge or jury.

Anomie A state of normlessness in which social norms are unclear or weakened, often leading to deviance.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology that enables machines to perform tasks requiring human-like reasoning, widely used in modern policing and crime analysis.

Arrest The act of taking a person into legal custody based on probable cause.

B

Biological Theories Explanations of behavior that emphasize genetic, neurological, and physiological influences.

Brain Structure The physical organization of the brain, which can influence behavior and decision-making.

C

Case Law Law established by judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes.

Collectivism A cultural orientation that emphasizes group goals over individual interests.

Community Corrections Programs that supervise offenders in the community rather than in prison.

Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Programs designed to reduce violence through community-based strategies and outreach.

Conflict Theory A perspective emphasizing inequality and power differences in shaping law and deviance.

Corrections The system responsible for managing individuals convicted of crimes, including incarceration and supervision.

Court Jurisdiction The authority of a court to hear and decide cases.

Crime Control Model A model emphasizing efficiency, rapid processing, and public safety in the justice system.

Crime Prevention Strategies aimed at reducing the likelihood of crime before it occurs.

Crime Trends Patterns and changes in crime rates over time.

Criminal Justice Funnel A model illustrating how cases are filtered at different stages of the justice system.

Criminality Behavior that is defined and punished as a crime under the law.

Cybercrime Criminal activity conducted through digital or online means.

D

Deviance Behavior that violates social norms and generates negative social reactions.

Deterrence A punishment philosophy aimed at discouraging criminal behavior.

Determinate Sentencing A sentencing structure with a fixed duration of punishment.

Discretion The authority to make decisions based on judgment within legal guidelines.

Due Process Legal protections ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system.

Due Process Model A model emphasizing fairness, legal safeguards, and protection of individual rights.

E

Economic Impact Financial consequences resulting from crime or victimization.

Evidence-Based Policy Policy decisions informed by research and empirical data.

Epigenetics The study of how environmental factors influence gene expression.

Equal Justice The principle that all individuals should be treated equally under the law.

F

Felony A serious crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment.

Feminist Theory A perspective examining how gender inequality influences crime and justice.

Folkways Informal norms governing everyday behavior.

G

Gang Prevention Programs aimed at reducing gang involvement and activity.

Gene–Environment Interaction (GxE) The interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

H

Hate Crime A criminal act motivated by bias against a person’s identity.

Honor A cultural value emphasizing reputation and respect, often influencing behavior.

I

Incapacitation A strategy that prevents crime by restricting an offender’s ability to act, usually through incarceration.

Indeterminate Sentencing A sentencing structure that provides a range of time rather than a fixed term.

Individualism A cultural orientation emphasizing personal freedom and independence.

Infraction A minor violation usually punishable by a fine.

Intersectionality A framework examining how multiple social identities overlap to shape experiences.

J

Jail A local facility used for short-term confinement or pretrial detention.

Juvenile Justice The legal system that addresses offenses committed by minors.

L

Labeling Theory A theory suggesting that deviance results from societal labels placed on individuals.

Larceny The unlawful taking of property without force.

Law Enforcement Agencies responsible for maintaining order and enforcing laws.

Lifestyle-Exposure Theory A theory stating that lifestyle increases or decreases risk of victimization.

M

Mass Incarceration The large-scale imprisonment of individuals, particularly evident in the United States.

Misdemeanor A less serious crime punishable by less than one year of incarceration.

Moral Entrepreneurs Individuals or groups who influence the creation of laws and norms.

Mores Strongly held norms with moral significance.

N

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) A survey measuring both reported and unreported crime.

Neurotransmitters Chemical messengers in the brain that influence behavior and mood.

Nonintervention A perspective favoring minimal involvement for minor offenses.

O

Organized Crime Crime committed by structured groups engaged in ongoing illegal activity.

P

Personality Traits Stable characteristics influencing behavior.

Policing The practice of enforcing laws and maintaining order.

Positivist Theory A perspective emphasizing scientific explanations of behavior.

Pre-Sentence Report A document used to assist judges in sentencing decisions.

Presumption of Innocence The legal principle that individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Probable Cause Reasonable grounds to believe a crime has been committed.

Property Crime Crime involving theft or damage to property.

Public Health Approach A strategy treating crime as a health issue influenced by social conditions.

Q

Qualitative Research Research focused on descriptive, non-numerical data.

Quantitative Research Research based on numerical data and statistical analysis.

R

Recidivism The tendency of a person to reoffend.

Rehabilitation Efforts to change behavior and reintegrate offenders into society.

Restorative Justice A process focusing on repairing harm through dialogue and accountability.

Routine Activities Theory A theory suggesting crime occurs when a motivated offender meets a suitable target without guardianship.

S

Sanctions Rewards or punishments used to enforce norms.

Self-Control The ability to regulate impulses and behavior.

Social Control Mechanisms used to regulate behavior and maintain order.

Social Disorganization Breakdown of social institutions contributing to crime.

Social Inequality Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities.

Social Norms Shared expectations guiding behavior.

Socioeconomic Status (SES) An individual’s economic and social position.

Strain Theory A theory suggesting crime results from blocked opportunities.

Subculture
A group with values and norms differing from the dominant culture.

Surveillance Monitoring behavior for security and enforcement purposes.

T

Taboo A strongly prohibited behavior.

Trauma Emotional or psychological harm resulting from distressing experiences.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Head injury affecting brain function and behavior.

U

Uniform Crime Report (UCR) A system collecting official crime data reported to police.

V

Victim Compensation Financial assistance provided to victims of crime.

Victimology The study of victims and victimization.

Victimization The experience of being harmed by crime.

Violent Crime Crime involving force or threat of force.

W

Wedding Cake Model
A model describing how cases are prioritized within the justice system.

White-Collar Crime
Nonviolent crime committed for financial gain, typically in professional settings.