Classical and Neoclassical Criminology

Questions and Answers

What does the Classical School/Classical Criminology argue is the result of the exercise of free will?

Socialization

Fear of punishment

Criminal behavior (correct)

Economic conditions

What is hedonistic calculus?

The idea that behavior holds value based on the expected pleasure or pain it will produce.

What is a Panopticon?

A circular building with cells that are easily visible and staffed by guards.

What are important concepts of Neoclassical Criminology?

Situational crime prevention Signup and view all the answers

The Nothing-works doctrine suggests that correctional treatment programs are highly successful.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the Justice Model based on?

The 'Just Deserts' philosophy of crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does Rational Choice Theory argue?

Crime results from a conscious choice where benefits outweigh the costs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Routine Activities Theory state about crime?

Crime is likely to occur when a motivated offender encounters a suitable target without a capable guardian. Signup and view all the answers

What does Situational Choice Theory focus on?

Choices made within a context of situational constraints and opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a capable guardian?

To effectively discourage crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lifestyle Theory link victimization risks to?

Daily behaviors of particular individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Seductions of Crime' about?

How crime can be pleasurable for those committing it. Signup and view all the answers

What is Situational Crime Prevention concerned with?

Strategies to prevent crime through environmental design. Signup and view all the answers

What does Positivism argue about criminal behavior?

It results from forces beyond the individual's control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of target hardening?

To reduce criminal activity in a specific location. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Just Deserts Model state?

Offenders deserve punishment appropriate to their crimes. Signup and view all the answers

What is deterrence in criminal sentencing?

Stopping criminal behavior through the fear of punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What does general deterrence aim to achieve?

Prevent others from committing similar crimes. Signup and view all the answers

What is specific deterrence?

Preventing a particular offender from repeating criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does recidivism measure?

The repetition of criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is capital punishment?

The legal imposition of a death sentence on a convicted offender. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'truth in sentencing'?

The comparison between an offender's sentence and time spent in prison. Signup and view all the answers

What is incapacitation?

Reducing the chances of an offender committing future offenses. Signup and view all the answers

What did Cesare Beccaria argue about trial and punishment?

They should be swift and certain for criminals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Three Strikes' law?

A law stating that repeat felons get a sentence of 25 years to life after three convictions. Signup and view all the answers

What does classical deterrence focus on?

Pleasure and pain. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of situational crime prevention?

Street robberies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central feature in both classical and neoclassical thought?

Punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the crime funnel reveal?

Less than 1% of law violators in America spend time in prison. Signup and view all the answers

What has been criticized about situational crime prevention and target hardening?

Resulting in the displacement of crime. Signup and view all the answers

Why are some people against capital punishment?

Because DNA testing has led to the exoneration of falsely convicted individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What does rational justice focus on?

Deterrence. Signup and view all the answers

What does emotional justice focus on?

Retribution. Signup and view all the answers

What are determinate sentencing schemes based on?

Notions of classical thought. Signup and view all the answers

Why have prison populations increased?

Due to the implementation of determinate sentencing strategies and truth in sentencing laws. Signup and view all the answers

What does selective incapacitation suggest?

Most crimes are committed by a small number of repeat offenders. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical School/Classical Criminology

Emerged during the Enlightenment, emphasizing rationality and free will.
Crime is seen as a result of personal choice and the decision-making process.
Key concepts include:
- Deterrence through punishment
- Social contract
- Due process
- Panopticon

Hedonistic Calculus

Proposed by Jeremy Bentham.
Suggests that individuals assess pleasure vs. pain when making decisions.

Panopticon

A circular prison design by Jeremy Bentham with visible cells and guards.
Aims to facilitate surveillance and deter crime.

Neoclassical Criminology

Reflects contemporary society with a focus on character development and rational choice.
Advocates for get-tough policies.
Important concepts:
- Rational choice
- Routine activities
- Situational crime prevention
- Target hardening
- Just deserts

Nothing-Works Doctrine

Proposed by Robert Martinson; asserts little success in rehabilitating offenders through correctional programs.

Justice Model

A modern imprisonment model based on the "Just Deserts" philosophy which emphasizes proportional punishment.

Rational Choice Theory

Crime results from conscious decisions where perceived benefits outweigh risks.
Aligns with classical criminology, emphasizing rational thought.

Routine Activities Theory

Proposes that crime is likely when a motivated offender encounters a suitable target without capable guardianship.

Situational Choice Theory

Focuses on the choices made in specific contexts, influenced by situational constraints and opportunities.

Capable Guardian

An individual or system that effectively deters crime.

Lifestyle Theory

Links victimization risk to individual's daily behaviors and lifestyle choices.

The Seductions of Crime

A book by Jack Katz that explores the pleasurable aspects of criminal acts, positing pleasure as a key motivation.

Situational Crime Prevention

Targets crime prevention through an analysis of environments conducive to crime.
Shifts focus from why crime occurs to the specifics of where it happens.

Positivism

Belief that external forces, like genetics and social environment, influence criminal behavior, countering the idea of free will.

Target Hardening

Strategies aimed at reducing crime in specific locations through physical or design barriers.

Just Deserts Model

The principle that punishments should be proportionate to the crime committed.

Deterrence

The intent to prevent criminal behavior by instilling fear of punishment.

General Deterrence

Aims to prevent the public from committing crimes by sentencing a specific offender.

Specific Deterrence

Focused on preventing a particular offender from repeating their crime.

Recidivism

Refers to the tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to re-offend, signifying treatment program effectiveness.

Capital Punishment

The legal execution of a convicted felon.

Truth in Sentencing

Laws mandating offenders serve a substantial portion of their sentences, often at least 80%.

Incapacitation

Involves imprisonment or similar measures to prevent offenders from committing further crimes.

Cesare Beccaria

Advocated for swift, certain trials and punishments, suggesting criminals choose to commit crimes and can be deterred.

"Three Strikes" Law

Mandates severe penalties (25 years to life) for felons convicted of three or more serious offenses.

Classical Deterrence

Concentrates on balancing pleasure and pain in decision-making.

Crime Funnel

Illustrates that less than 1% of law violators serve prison time, indicating significant gaps in punishment.

Situational Crime Prevention Criticism

Critics claim it leads to crime being displaced to other areas rather than overall reduction.

Death Penalty Information Center

Highlights issues of racial disproportion in capital punishment.

DNA Exoneration

Increases skepticism around capital punishment risk due to wrongful convictions.

Rational Justice

Focuses on deterrence as a primary goal of sentencing.

Emotional Justice

Focuses on retribution as a response to crime.

Determinate Sentencing Schemes

Built on classical thought principles which believe in quantifying crime's pleasure and necessary deterrent punishment.

Increasing Prison Populations

Growth attributed to determinate sentencing strategies and truth in sentencing laws.

Selective Incapacitation

Proposes that a small number of repeat offenders commit most crimes, justifying targeted imprisonment strategies.

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Description

Explore the foundational theories of classical and neoclassical criminology, including key concepts such as deterrence, hedonistic calculus, and the panopticon. This quiz will test your understanding of how rational choice and social contract theories influence modern approaches to crime and punishment.