1.2.3 Role of Culture in Defining Crime

• Social constructs shape our understanding of the world and influence our behavior
• Match the country with the crime and its legality:

  Saudi Arabia ↔️ Public alcohol consumption: Illegal

  Netherlands ↔️ Cannabis use: Legal
• Cultural norms and values can dictate acceptable behaviors, such as honor killings in some cultures.

  True
• Economic conditions such as poverty and inequality can increase crime rates through activities like theft
• What is a social construct?

  Concept agreed upon by society
• Why is criminal behavior considered a social construct?

  Varies across cultures
• What is the primary reason criminal behavior is a social construct?

  Defined by societal agreement
• Match the country with its crime, legality, and cultural significance:

  Saudi Arabia ↔️ Public alcohol consumption: Illegal; Strict adherence to Islamic law

  Netherlands ↔️ Cannabis use: Legal; Liberal social policies
• Sharia law on alcohol consumption is an example of how religious beliefs impact moral codes.
• What are social constructs?

  Concepts society agrees exist
• Why does the decriminalization of homosexuality support the idea that criminal behavior is a social construct?

  Societal values changed
• What are three cultural factors that influence crime definitions?

  Cultural norms, economic conditions, religious beliefs
• What role do cultural norms and values play in defining crime?

  Dictate acceptable behaviors
• The US Prohibition of alcohol influenced modern drug laws.
• Match the country with its gambling legality:

  UK ↔️ Legal

  Saudi Arabia ↔️ Illegal
• Cannabis use is legal in all regions of the world.

  False
• What does cultural relativism posit about defining right and wrong?

  Defined by cultural norms
• Which cultural factor can drive property crime rates through poverty and inequality?

  Economic conditions
• How did US Prohibition influence present-day drug laws?

  Historical context
• Match the region with its cannabis legality:

  Netherlands ↔️ Legal

  Singapore ↔️ Illegal
• What is one challenge in ensuring universal justice across diverse cultural norms?

  Navigating human rights conflicts
• Criminal behavior is considered a social construct because it varies across cultures and changes over time.

  True
• Cultural relativism posits that right and wrong are defined by cultural norms
• Historical context shapes present-day laws and societal attitudes toward crime
• How do religious beliefs influence crime definitions?

  Inform legal systems
• Gambling is legal in the UK but illegal in Saudi Arabia.


  True
• Gambling is legal in the UK but illegal in Saudi Arabia due to differing cultural values.
• Behaviors like homosexuality, once considered criminal, have been decriminalized due to evolving societal values.
• Cultural norms, economic factors, and religious beliefs illustrate the subjective nature of criminal behavior.


  True
• What is one example of how gambling legality varies across cultures?

  Legal in UK, illegal in Saudi Arabia
• Cultural variations in criminal justice systems require sensitivity in law enforcement.
• Cultural norms and values are universal across all societies.

  False
• Why is the decriminalization of homosexuality significant in understanding crime definitions?

  Reflects cultural shifts