Criminology

What is “criminology”? Criminology refers to the study of the

nature, causes, and means of dealing with crime

Classical Criminology Classical theories on criminology came out

of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries

Some key thinkers:◦ Cesare Beccaria◦ Jeremy Bentham

Cesare Beccaria Famous for writing On Crimes and

Punishment◦ Humans are driven by self-interest, but are

rational in their decisions◦ Government should act on behalf of all citizens◦ Citizens are prepared to give up some freedoms

in exchange for protection◦ Existence of law should act as sufficient

deterrent◦ Punishment should be proportionately greater

than enjoyment received by disobeying

Jeremy Bentham Based his view on theory of utilitarianism

◦ Law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people

◦ Social contract between government and people, each with clear responsibilities Government to make clear what was illegal and what

punishment would arise Citizens to follow laws as created

Who looks like a criminal?

Those in group "A" are all shoplifters, "B" are swindlers, "H" are purse snatchers, "E" are murderers, etc

Positivist Criminology Began in late 19th century Focused on biological and psychological

factors to explain criminal behaviour Based on the idea that criminals are born,

not made◦ nature trumps nurture

Generally discredited today

Positivist Criminology Cesare Lombroso

◦ Studied cadavers of criminals◦ Argued that criminals had distinct physical

features XYY Theory

◦ Chromosomal abnormalities may explain criminal behaviour

◦ Debunked when researchers proved idea incorrect

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour rather than legal system◦ Lombroso “born

criminal theory”◦ XYY theory

Historical Perspectives On CriminologyPositivist School

◦ Proposed by Emile Durkheim◦ Argued that as society

moved from rural to urban, traditional values and bonds that regulated behaviour were weakened

◦ People would turn to crime living in a big city, no longer restrained by norms of society

◦ Called this state of isolation “anomie”

Theory Of Anomie

◦ Argued that criminal behaviour was encouraged or fostered in certain environments

◦ Communities that suffered from high rates of poverty and social disintegration were more likely to condone criminal activity than affluent areas

Ecological School

◦ Consensus theorists assume there is a universal definition of right and wrong and that criminal law reflects this consensus

◦ Argue that criminal laws prohibit behaviours that society agrees are harmful

Consensus Theory

Contemporary Theories Of Criminal Deviance

◦ Argues that people commit crimes when they believe they cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitimate means.

◦ The stress of goals of acquiring wealth (success and power), and the means to achieve these goals (education, economic resources) are denied to the economically disadvantaged

Sociology- Strain Theory

◦ Suggests the key influences leading to criminal behaviour are found in upbringing, peer groups, and role models

Sociology- Socialization

Biological Theories

◦ Argues that some human traits such as intelligence, personality, chemical and genetic makeup may predispose people to engage in criminal behaviour

◦ Research suggests that the following can cause a person to become a criminal Poor diet (“Twinkie Defense”) Influence of hormones

(androgens) Exposure to drugs/alcohol in the

womb

Biological Trait Theory

◦ Focus on the study of brain activity and how neurological dysfunctions are connected with criminal activity Twin studies

Neurophysiological Theory