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Sociology and the theory of responsibility: ‘social background’ as an excuse for crime1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Jean Floud
Jean Floud
Affiliation:
Principal's Lodge, Newnham College, Cambridge
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Synopsis

The concept of social abnormality can be given a fairly precise meaning and is relevant to the theory of legal responsibility. Much work, however, would need to be done before it could take its place alongside mental abnormality as an excusing condition in the courts. The implications of such a plea would, moreover, be far reaching, two of the more obvious being the individualization of excuses and the relinquishing of the general preventive possibilities of punishment.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , August 1975 , pp. 227 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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