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Questions and Answers
Which principle is NOT one of Beccaria's three components of deterrence?
Which principle is NOT one of Beccaria's three components of deterrence?
What does the term 'hedonistic calculus' refer to in classical criminology?
What does the term 'hedonistic calculus' refer to in classical criminology?
Which of the following statements best represents the concept of general deterrence?
Which of the following statements best represents the concept of general deterrence?
What key idea does the Neoclassical School introduce compared to the Classical School?
What key idea does the Neoclassical School introduce compared to the Classical School?
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Which statement reflects Beccaria's belief about the social contract?
Which statement reflects Beccaria's belief about the social contract?
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Which of the following best describes the brutalization effect?
Which of the following best describes the brutalization effect?
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In the context of classical criminology, what is the primary focus of utilitarianism?
In the context of classical criminology, what is the primary focus of utilitarianism?
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What does mens rea refer to in criminal law?
What does mens rea refer to in criminal law?
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What is the significance of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights in relation to the social contract?
What is the significance of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights in relation to the social contract?
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Study Notes
Actus Reus
- Refers to the physical act or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense.
Age of Enlightenment
- Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights, influencing modern legal systems.
Cesare Beccaria's Principles
- Proposed nine principles of criminal justice focusing on rationality and free will in decision-making.
Three Parts of Beccaria’s Concept of Deterrence
- Swiftness: Punishments must be timely to effectively link the crime with the consequence.
- Certainty: A high likelihood of being caught enhances deterrence.
- Severity: The punishment should outweigh the benefits gained from the crime.
Jeremy Bentham and Utilitarianism
- Advocated for the greatest happiness principle, valuing actions based on their outcomes for the majority.
Brutalization Effect
- Posits that executions and harsh punishments may desensitize society to violence, leading to increased crime.
Classical School of Criminology
- Focuses on rational choice in criminal behavior, emphasizing that individuals make decisions based on pain versus pleasure.
Demonology
- An outdated belief linking criminal behavior to supernatural forces and spiritual entities.
Types of Deterrence
- General Deterrence: Aimed at preventing crime in the general populace.
- Specific Deterrence: Focuses on preventing the individual offender from committing future crimes.
Deterrence Theory
- Suggests that the threat of punishment can prevent criminal behavior.
Mens Rea
- The mental state or intent behind committing a crime, crucial in determining culpability.
Neoclassical School
- Recognizes that aggravating and mitigating circumstances can affect the severity of punishment.
Social Contract
- An implicit agreement among individuals to create a society and enforce rules; exemplified in documents like the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Utilitarianism
- Ethical theory promoting actions that maximize happiness and well-being for the majority.
Key Questions
- The first rational theory of criminal activity is attributed to Cesare Beccaria.
- Hedonistic calculus weighs the potential pleasure against the pain of actions to determine the best outcome.
- Classical School theories emphasize rational choice and the capacity for individuals to choose between crime and non-crime.
- Beccaria's view on the social contract reflects the concept that laws should be equitable, ensuring all individuals are treated fairly under the law.
- Beccaria's quote describes how extreme pain can undermine free will, forcing individuals to seek any immediate relief from suffering.
- Classical theory prioritizes rationality and structured punishment, while Neoclassical theory incorporates individual circumstances into considerations of justice.
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of criminal justice, including Actus Reus and the theories presented by Beccaria and Bentham. This quiz delves into the Age of Enlightenment and the principles of deterrence, including swiftness, certainty, and severity. Test your knowledge on how these theories shaped modern legal frameworks.
