Classical vs Positivist Criminology Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the classical school of criminology focus on?

Biological factors

Deterrence (correct)

Societal influences

Rehabilitation

What are the two basic tenets of classical thought?

Criminal offenders freely choose to break the law and punishment should be only as serious as the offense.

What does classical criminology primarily punish offenders for?

Their behavior

What concept did Bentham advocate for dealing with crime?

Utilitarianism Signup and view all the answers

What do the principles of utilitarianism argue?

Ethical behavior allows the greatest number of people to benefit. Signup and view all the answers

What is rational choice theory rooted in?

Classical school of criminology Signup and view all the answers

What did classical thinkers aim to bring to the legal system?

Humanitarian reform Signup and view all the answers

According to Cesare Beccaria, how should punishment be administered?

Punishment must be swift, certain, and sufficiently severe. Signup and view all the answers

What is deterrence theory?

The idea that the threat of punishment will discourage crime. Signup and view all the answers

Who laid the foundation for the classical school of thought?

Cesare Beccaria Signup and view all the answers

What did Cesare Lombroso argue about criminals?

There is such a thing as a 'born criminal.' Signup and view all the answers

What influences do positivist thinkers believe promote crime?

Strong influences such as environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of positivist criminology?

Biological, psychological, and sociological factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the strain theory address?

Deviance occurs when a society does not provide equal opportunity to achieve goals. Signup and view all the answers

What do psychological theories of crime suggest?

Low IQ, mental illness, and psychopathic traits contribute to criminality. Signup and view all the answers

According to control theory, what are the four reasons why people don't commit crime?

Attachment, involvement, commitment, belief. Signup and view all the answers

What does differential association suggest?

Crime is learned through interaction with antisocial peers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classical School of Criminology

Emphasizes deterrence and sees crime as a product of free will.
Central tenets include that offenders choose to break the law and punishment should fit the offense.
Ignores rationalizations and excuses, focusing solely on behavior.
Key figures: Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham.

Cesare Beccaria

Established the foundation of classical thought, emphasizing free will and accountability for actions.
Believed humanity is inherently self-interested and that laws should maintain social order.
Advocated for punishment as a means of deterrence, rather than revenge.
Punishments must be swift, certain, and sufficiently severe to be effective.
Stressed fairness, justice, and limited judicial power to reduce bias.
Argued for proportional punishment methods and that individuals are innocent until proven guilty.
Emphasized the importance of crime prevention over punishment.

Jeremy Bentham

Developed utilitarianism, advocating "the greatest good for the greatest number" in governance and justice.
Proposed the hedonistic calculus, where offenders weigh pleasure against pain prior to committing crimes.
Goals included creating a hierarchy of punishment based on proportionality.

Rational Choice Theory

Originates from the classical framework, suggesting criminal behavior is a rational choice.
The decision to commit a crime is influenced by the perceived benefits and risks.
Addresses crime through situational prevention, deterrence, and incapacitation.

Positivist School of Criminology

Explains criminal behavior through biological, psychological, and sociological factors rather than free will.
Factors influencing crime include cultural, environmental, and peer influences.
Focuses on rehabilitation of offenders rather than punitive measures.

Biological Theories

Cesare Lombroso posited the "born criminal" theory, suggesting crime is an inherited trait.
Identified different body types linked to criminal behavior:
- Endomorph: Fat, extroverted
- Mesomorph: Muscular, aggressive; most likely to commit serious crimes
- Ectomorph: Thin, introverted

Psychological and Sociological Theories

Low IQ and mental illness linked to criminal activity.
Social disorganization theory attributes crime to poverty and community characteristics.
Concentric zone theory indicates crime is higher in inner-city areas due to weak community ties.
Merton's Strain Theory relates crime to the inability to achieve societal goals, often leading to feelings of worthlessness and illegal behavior.

Control theory explains why individuals refrain from crime through attachment, involvement, commitment, and belief.
Social learning theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through socialization and interaction with peers.

Conflict Theory

Views crime as a consequence of societal inequality, where the affluent receive lenient treatment compared to lower-class offenders.

Includes modeling theory, differential association, and reinforcement theory, all of which suggest crime is learned through observation and social interaction.

Key Concepts

Deterrence and proportional punishment are core ideas of classical criminology.
Positivist criminology emphasizes that behavior is influenced by factors outside an individual's control.
Rational choice theory focuses on the decision-making process behind criminal acts, asserting they are rational behavior.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of the classical school of criminology through these flashcards. Learn about deterrence and the ideas surrounding free will and punishment. This quiz will help you distinguish between classical and positivist perspectives in criminology.