Criminology Overview: Definition and Classification

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes chronic criminals from acute criminals?

Chronic criminals are influenced by mental disorders, while acute criminals are not.

Chronic criminals are the lowest form of criminals, whereas acute criminals are the most skilled.

Chronic criminals commit crimes with intent, while acute criminals react to specific situations. (correct)

Chronic criminals act impulsively while acute criminals plan their actions.

Which type of criminal is associated with committing crimes due to a mental disorder?

Acute criminal

Professional criminal

Normal criminal

Criminaloid (correct)

What defines a professional criminal?

An individual who commits crimes without any planning.

A person who earns a living through criminal activities with a high skill level. (correct)

A criminal who engages in crimes that do not require any technical skills.

One who is involved in a single crime out of anger.

Which of the following best describes a situational criminal?

An individual whose criminal acts are unintentional due to situational factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of ordinary criminals?

They commit crimes without needing specialized skills. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes habitual criminals?

Offenders who repeatedly commit crimes for various reasons. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic belongs to active aggressive criminals?

Their criminal behavior is impulsive and driven by aggressive attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of criminal is primarily motivated by circumstance rather than intent?

Accidental criminal Signup and view all the answers

What describes passive-inadequate criminals?

They commit crimes due to inducement and rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What principle underlies the Code of Hammurabi?

The law of talion. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the laws of the Hittites?

They included death as punishment for many offenses. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did Solon implement regarding laws?

He emphasized equal application of laws for all citizens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following codified laws is known for its extreme severity?

Code of Drakon Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical significance of Rome's Twelve Tables?

They marked the beginning of Roman law. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Hammurabi?

The king of Babylon who created the first codified laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes socialized delinquents?

They are often respected but may act due to social pressures. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Twelve Tables in ancient Rome?

To establish the foundation for all laws in Rome Signup and view all the answers

Which group was responsible for drafting the Twelve Tables?

Decemvirs Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of criminal law ensures it applies equally to all individuals?

Generality Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can penal laws be applied retroactively?

If they are favorable to the accused Signup and view all the answers

What does the characteristic of territoriality imply in criminal law?

Laws are enforceable only within a state's geographical boundaries Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an exception to the generality characteristic of criminal law?

Citizens accused of treason Signup and view all the answers

What does specificity in criminal law require?

The law must provide a strict definition of offenses Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in the Philippines?

To consolidate and revise existing penal laws Signup and view all the answers

What obligation does a judge have when there is doubt about a definition in the Revised Penal Code applying to an accused?

To favor the interpretation that benefits the accused Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a penal sanction in relation to crime?

It acts as a deterrent and protects society Signup and view all the answers

How is the application of a criminal act described in the Revised Penal Code characterized?

It is uniform regardless of who, where, or when it is committed Signup and view all the answers

Which school of thought assumes individuals weigh the consequences before committing crimes?

Classical School of Criminology Signup and view all the answers

What does the Demonology Theory suggest about the cause of criminal behavior?

It stems from possession by evil spirits Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'school of thought' refer to in criminology?

A way of organizing differing perspectives on crime Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Classical School of Criminology?

It upholds the belief in free will of individuals Signup and view all the answers

Why has the Demonology Theory been largely rejected?

It lacks scientific verification and evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the theory of classical criminology?

Fear of punishment deters crime Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the father of classical criminology?

Cesare Beccaria Signup and view all the answers

What does the felicific calculus pertain to in the context of Jeremy Bentham's philosophy?

Weighing pleasure versus pain when making decisions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered by classical criminology when evaluating free will?

Socioeconomic status Signup and view all the answers

What modification is made by neo-classical criminology regarding free will?

It states that free will can be affected by external factors Signup and view all the answers

According to classical criminology, which of the following is a key principle?

Punishment should be swift and severe Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of classical theory regarding human behavior?

Rational calculations dictate choices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a core belief of utilitarianism?

Actions should maximize happiness for the largest number of people Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criminal Definition

A criminal is someone found guilty of committing a wrongful act in a legal setting.
Criminology considers someone a criminal from the moment they commit the crime.

General Classification of Criminals

Etiology-Based:
- Acute Criminal: Reacts to a situation impulsively or during a moment of anger.
- Chronic Criminal: Plans and commits crimes intentionally.
  - Neurotic Criminal: Suffers from a mental disorder.
  - Normal Criminal: Looks up to criminals.
  - Criminaloids: Criminal behavior influenced by biological or medical conditions.
Type of Offender:
- Ordinary Criminal: Commits crimes without specialized skills, considered the lowest form of criminal career.
- Organized Criminal: Operates in highly organized groups, involves in complex criminal activities requiring strategic planning.
- Professional Criminal: Highly skilled, earns a living through criminal activities, often operates with a network of other professionals.
Criminal Activities:
- Professional Criminal: Earning a living from criminal behavior.
- Situational Criminal: Involved in criminal acts due to circumstantial factors.
- Habitual Criminal: Repeats criminal acts for different reasons.
- Accidental Criminal: Unintentionally violates the law due to uncontrollable circumstances.
Mental Attitude:
- Active Aggressive Criminals: Act impulsively due to aggression, often associated with crimes of passion, revenge, or resentment.
- Passive-inadequate Criminals: Commit crimes under pressure or inducement, often driven by rewards or promises without considering the consequences.
- Socialized Delinquents: Individuals with normal behavior but deficiencies in social skills, can include educated and respected members of society committing crimes due to specific circumstances or pressures.

Code of Hammurabi

King Hammurabi of Babylon (18th century BC) codified the first comprehensive set of laws.
The code was written on stone and is known as the Code of Hammurabi.
The code was based on the principle of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," where punishment mirrored the harm inflicted.

Hittites

The Hittites conquered Babylon a few centuries after Hammurabi’s reign.
They implemented laws similar in brutality to the Code of Hammurabi, with death common as punishment for various offenses.

Code of Drakon

Athenian lawgiver Drakon codified laws in Athens (7th century BC).
Known for its extreme severity with death as punishment for many offenses.

Laws of Solon

Solon, an Athenian, was appointed archon and given legislative powers.
He abolished almost all the harsh laws of the Code of Drakon.
Introduced laws providing fairer and more proportional punishments.
He emphasized equality in law application for all citizens.
His impact on law-making is so significant that “Solon” is used to refer to any member of the Senate or House of Representatives.

Rome’s Twelve Tables

The Twelve Tables were established in the middle of the sixth century BC, forming the foundation of Roman law.
Composed of twelve bronze tablets containing legal provisions, the Tables were drafted by a group of patricians called the Decemvirs.

Criminal Law

Criminal law is a branch of public law that defines crimes, describes their nature, and prescribes punishments.
The Revised Penal Code, or Act No. 3815, is the primary source of Philippine criminal law, incorporating both general provisions and specific laws.
The Revised Penal Code replaced the old code effective on January 1, 1932.

Characteristics of Criminal Law

Generality: Applies equally to all individuals within the territory, regardless of personal characteristics, with certain exceptions for heads of state, foreign diplomats, and ambassadors.
Territoriality: Enforceable within the boundaries of a country's jurisdiction, subject to international law and treaties.
- Applies to the Philippine archipelago, including atmosphere, water, and a three-mile maritime zone.
Prospectivity: Individuals can't be punished for acts that were not illegal at the time of their occurrence. However, laws can be retroactively implemented if they are beneficial to the accused and they are not delinquent.
Specificity and Definiteness: Criminal law must provide clear and unambiguous definitions of offenses. In cases of doubt, the law should be interpreted in favor of the accused.
Uniformity in Application: The definition and punishment of crimes are applied uniformly, regardless of who commits them, where, or when.
Penal Sanction: The existence of a punishment is crucial for enforcing the law. It acts as a deterrent and a means of protecting society.

Schools of Thought in Criminology

A school of thought refers to a specific perspective or group sharing a common view on human nature, crime, and its control.
A theory is a set of statements that explains behavior, events, or phenomena, often repeatedly tested and widely accepted.

Demonology Theory

Individuals commit crimes because they are possessed by evil spirits.
This theory is now rejected, as it cannot be verified or studied scientifically.

Classical School of Criminology

Focuses on the rationale behind crimes.
Individuals have free will and choose to commit crimes after weighing the consequences.
Fear of punishment can deter crime.
Society can control behavior by making the pain of punishment outweigh the potential benefits of criminal gain.
Founders: Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham.
- Cesare Beccaria:
  - Considered the father of classical criminology.
  - Known for his essay, "On Crimes and Punishment," which argued against torture as a means of extracting confessions.
  - Advocated for human beings being guided by hedonism, seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.
- Jeremy Bentham:
  - Added the concept of Utilitarianism and the felicific calculus.
  - Utilitarianism suggests that the right action is the one that maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people.
  - The felicific calculus states that individuals weigh the pleasure (gain) and pain (suffering) of committing a crime to determine if it’s beneficial.

Neo-classical Criminology

A modified version of classical criminology.
Free will can be affected by other factors, which are not considered in the pleasure-pain calculation.
Recognizes that children and those with mental impairments may be unable to fully exercise free will.
Argues for different treatment for individuals who cannot fully understand consequences or make rational choices.

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This quiz explores the definition of a criminal and various classifications within criminology. From the etiology-based categories to the types of offenders, test your knowledge on the different dimensions of criminal behavior. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of criminology.