Questions and Answers
What did the positivist tradition introduce as a challenge to classical criminology?
Which of the following represents an external force that influences human behavior according to positivism?
What concept stresses that only the strongest organisms survive?
How does positivism approach the concept of intelligence?
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Which of the following approaches challenged classical criminology's reliance on 'armchair' theorizing?
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Which aspect of positivism focuses on the importance of empirical methods?
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What remains a primary orientation in criminology throughout most of the twentieth century?
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In the context of positivism, which of the following elements is considered a personal influence on human behavior?
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Which field has NOT significantly influenced criminology, according to the content?
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What fundamental belief do positivists hold regarding human behavior?
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What is necessary for successful criminological research?
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What was a major influence that led to the rise of the positivist tradition?
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What does positivism emphasize in scientific inquiry?
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How did the positivist tradition view the concept of the soul?
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What kind of crimes have criminologists been called upon to help governments address?
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In the context of globalization, what aspect has criminology adapted to consider?
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What was a key aspect that distinguished delinquents from non-delinquents according to the content?
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What societal change in the nineteenth century contributed to the development of sociological criminology?
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Which thinker is associated with the beginnings of sociological criminology and the use of positivism?
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What did social statistics represent in Comte's analysis of society?
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How did Herbert Spencer apply Darwinian principles to society?
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What was the overall perspective that sociologists aimed to achieve in studying society?
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What does the concept of natural selection imply in the context of sociological criminology as discussed?
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Which statement best describes the impact of the scientific method on societal traditions during the period discussed?
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Study Notes
Criminal Behavior Attribution
- Criminal behavior is influenced by motivations and social contexts allowing criminal inclinations to flourish.
Nineteenth Century Developments
- The classical perspective on crime and justice dominated for nearly a century, eventually challenged by positivist traditions.
- Positivism emerged in the mid-nineteenth century, utilizing the scientific method to explore human behavior, inspired by advancements in biology, astronomy, and chemistry.
- Positivism has two main tenets:
- Human behavior is shaped by external forces beyond individual control, including social (wealth and class), political, and psychological influences (brain structure, biological makeup).
- Empirical methods and scientific observation are essential for testing hypotheses, proving concepts like "intelligence" as measurable while questioning unverifiable concepts like "the soul."
- Early positivists argued that while mental traits may distinguish delinquents from non-delinquents, they did not explain the emergence of delinquent behavior.
Development of Sociological Criminology
- Sociological criminology arose alongside biological and psychological views, focusing on societal changes during the nineteenth century.
- A significant societal transformation occurred with a population explosion and the shift from cottage industry to factory systems, exacerbating poverty and overcrowded cities.
- August Comte is pivotal in the origin of sociological criminology, applying positivism to society and identifying cooperation (social statistics) and conflict (social life) as forces shaping society.
- Early sociologists, including Herbert Spencer, applied Darwinian principles to societal evolution, arguing that the "fittest" nations and individuals naturally emerged, dismissing assistance for the underprivileged as detrimental.
- The concept of natural selection explained societal dynamics, promoting a science-based approach to understanding human behavior.
Twentieth Century Trends
- Throughout the twentieth century, criminology has primarily been sociological, influenced by various academic fields, including history and political economics.
- Criminology is a relatively young interdisciplinary science that has adapted to globalization, technological advancements, and increased international crime.
- Criminologists are increasingly tasked with developing strategies to address international and transnational crimes.
- Successful criminological research necessitates knowledge of law and criminal justice, cultural awareness, reliable data collection, empirical research, and cross-cultural studies.
- The achievements of criminologists serve as a foundation for ongoing research and policy formulation.
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Description
Explore the shift from classical theories of crime to positivist traditions in the 19th century. This quiz examines how motivations and social contexts influenced criminal behavior and the rise of scientific methods in understanding crime. Test your knowledge on these significant developments in criminology.
