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Criminology

Criminology. Classical Criminology. Classical theories on criminology came out of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries Some key thinkers: Cesare Beccaria Jeremy Bentham. Cesare Beccaria. Famous for writing On Crimes and Punishment

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Criminology

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  1. Criminology

  2. Classical Criminology • Classical theories on criminology came out of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries • Some key thinkers: • Cesare Beccaria • Jeremy Bentham

  3. Cesare Beccaria • Famous for writing On Crimes and Punishment • Humans are driven by self-interest, but are rational in their decisions • Government should act on behalf of all citizens • Citizens are prepared to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection • Existence of law should act as sufficient deterrent • Punishment should be proportionately greater than enjoyment received by disobeying

  4. Jeremy Bentham • Based his view on theory of utilitarianism • Law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people • Social contract between government and people, each with clear responsibilities • Government to make clear what was illegal and what punishment would arise • Citizens to follow laws as created

  5. Who looks like a criminal? Those in group "A" are all shoplifters, "B" are swindlers, "H" are purse snatchers, "E" are murderers, etc

  6. Positivist Criminology • Began in late 19th century • Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour • Based on the idea that criminals are born, not made • nature trumps nurture • Generally discredited today

  7. Positivist Criminology • Cesare Lombroso • Studied cadavers of criminals • Argued that criminals had distinct physical features • XYY Theory • Chromosomal abnormalities may explain criminal behaviour • Debunked when researchers proved idea incorrect

  8. Historical Perspectives On CriminologyPositivist School • Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour rather than legal system • Lombroso “born criminal theory” • XYY theory

  9. Theory Of Anomie • Proposed by Emile Durkheim • Argued that as society moved from rural to urban, traditional values and bonds that regulated behaviour were weakened • People would turn to crime living in a big city, no longer restrained by norms of society • Called this state of isolation “anomie”

  10. Ecological School • Argued that criminal behaviour was encouraged or fostered in certain environments • Communities that suffered from high rates of poverty and social disintegration were more likely to condone criminal activity than affluent areas

  11. Consensus Theory • Consensus theorists assume there is a universal definition of right and wrong and that criminal law reflects this consensus • Argue that criminal laws prohibit behaviours that society agrees are harmful

  12. Contemporary Theories Of Crime

  13. Strain Theory • Argues that people commit crimes when they believe they cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitimate means. • The stress of goals of acquiring wealth (success and power), and the means to achieve these goals (education, economic resources) are denied to the economically disadvantaged

  14. Socialization • Suggests the key influences leading to criminal behaviour are found in upbringing, peer groups, and role models

  15. Biological Theories

  16. Biological Trait Theory • Argues that some human traits such as intelligence, personality, chemical and genetic makeup may predispose people to engage in criminal behaviour • Research suggests that the following can cause a person to become a criminal • Poor diet (“Twinkie Defense”) • Influence of hormones (androgens) • Exposure to drugs/alcohol in the womb

  17. Neurophysiological Theory • Focus on the study of brain activity and how neurological dysfunctions are connected with criminal activity • Twin studies

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