Criminology Chapter 3 Flashcards

The classical perspective sees human beings as fundamentally rational, portrays pain and pleasure as the two central determinants of human behavior, and sees punishment as necessary to deter law violators and to serve as an example.

The classical school grew out of Enlightenment beliefs of free will, individual choice, deterrence as a goal of the justice system, and punishment as a natural consequence of crime.

Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham were the two most important thinkers; they saw crime as providing pleasure to those who commit it and believed in punishment as the way to prevent it.

<p>Neoclassical criminology is a contemporary perspective built on classical principles emphasizing the importance of character and character development, focusing on the choices people make when faced with opportunities for crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It focuses on how one is brought up instead of just free will and individual choice.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Punishment is seen as providing both a deterrent and just deserts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Just desert implies that criminal offenders deserve the punishment they receive and that any criminal punishment carried out should be appropriate to the type and severity of the crime committed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Policy implications build on the idea of a rational offender punished by a system working toward the goals of crime reduction and prevention of recidivism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Determinate sentencing and truth in sentencing, as well as capital punishments, are all strategies that flow from classical school principles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A jail or prison sentence that is definite and not subject to review by a parole board or other agency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Truth in sentencing (TIS) is a collection of different but related public policy stances on sentencing of those convicted of crimes in the justice system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Classical perspectives can be criticized for their lack of comprehensive explanatory power over criminal motivation and they lack meaningful explanations about how a choice for or against criminal activity is made.</p> Signup and view all the answers