Criminology Theory Overview

Week 6: Introduction to Criminological Theory

• Criminological theory examines the causes of crime.
• Part II of the course focuses on criminological theory, beginning this week.
• The course covers pre-Classical, Classical, and modern choice-based approaches to crime.

Introduction to Criminological Theory

• People study crime to understand why people, particularly criminals, commit crimes.
• Criminological theories aim to answer such questions, among others.

Criminological Theory

• Theories of crime inform all levels of the criminal justice system, from street-level policing to the Supreme Court.
• Theories should continually develop, test, and update, although this is not always the case.
• Theories guide many daily decisions and outlooks.
• Successful theories endure, while unsuccessful ones lose favor.

A 'Good' Criminological Theory

• A logical and consistent theory must support its conclusions with empirical evidence.
• It is testable, parsimonious, and adaptable to new developments.
• It's theoretically universal or at least adaptable.
• It can help understand criminal behaviors and can lead to policy changes.

Importance of Criminological Theory

• Theory informs policy.
• Theory can lead to effective crime prevention and law enforcement.
• Theory can identify inequalities and inefficiencies within the criminal justice system.
• Theory generates new scientific developments.
• Theory helps understand various social, biological, and psychological issues.

Theory in Context

• Theories exist within the context of their time.
• Theories are influenced by politics, culture, society, and trends.
• Theories that were once obscure may appear obvious later given changing social contexts.

Pre-Classical Approaches

• Pre-classical approaches to crime predate modern criminological and sociological study.
• These approaches emphasize spiritual, supernatural, or divine explanations of crime.
• Pre-classical theory often attributes crime to demonic possession or supernatural influences, and does not focus on choice.

Pre-Classical Assumptions about Crime/Criminals

• Traditional thinking viewed criminals as possessed by evil demons.
• Criminals were not held accountable for their actions, but rather seen as victims of a higher power.
• Few protections existed for the accused.
• Torturing the accused was a common method of interrogation as well as executing offenders.
• Criminals were mostly violently punished after confession without any attempt at rehabilitation or healing.
• Those involved in dispensing of justice were religious leaders or clergy with little or no oversight.

The Classical School of Criminology

• Arose during the Enlightenment, roughly during the 17th century.
• This period saw significant social, political, and scientific change.
• The Classical School challenged old assumptions about crime, and advocated reform.
• Key theorists in the school included Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria.

Key Concepts of the Classical School

• Hedonism: Humans seek pleasure and avoid pain.
• Utilitarianism: Actions should be taken to maximize good and minimize harm.
• Rationality: People are assumed to make reasoned decisions, weighing costs and benefits before acting.
• Deterrence: Punishment should be proportionate to the crime to deter future similar offenses.

Bentham's Panopticon

• This is a type of prison design that was a key idea of the Classical school.
• It reflects their rational thinking about prisons.

Cesare Beccaria's On Crime and Punishment (1764)

• Argued against torture and excessive punishments in criminal justice.
• Emphasized due process and proportional punishments related to the crime.
• Supported fair trials and the social contract.
• Proposed that punishments should focus on preventing rather than punishing.

Modern Choice-Based Theories of Crime

• Choice-based approaches heavily rely on the concepts of the Classical School.
• They also draw on economic theory (neo-classical economics).
• These theories focus on present-day choices, rather than past experiences.
• They recognize that criminals can be rational actors, regardless of whether we agree with their choices.
• The concept of 'bounded rationality' explains how people may make seemingly poor choices due to limited information.

Rational Choice Theory (Cornish and Clarke, 1986)

• Highlights the costs and benefits of any action, including crime.
• Crime occurs when anticipated benefits outweigh perceived costs. Criminals weigh the costs and benefits.

Rational Choice Explanation

• Routine Activities Theory (Cohen and Felson, 1979):
• Crime occurs when three factors come together: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.
• Criminals and offences are complex.
• The theory posits that there are no good/bad outcomes to crimes.

Modern Criminological Theories

• Modern theories evolved in the 20th century, incorporating new insights, and evidence from various disciplines.
• Though the different schools of thought have strength, they also present weaknesses.
• Modern criminology is an active field with ongoing debate and theoretical advancements including biological, psychological, sociological, etc.

Next Week's Topics

• Biological approaches to crime
• Psychological approaches to crime.
• Writing Assignment #2 (availability will vary per class).

This quiz explores key characteristics and the importance of criminological theories. It addresses how theories evolve over time and the effects of effective theoretical frameworks in criminology. Test your understanding of the fundamentals and implications of criminological theories.