Criminology

Criminological Theory

  • Scientific attempts to explain why people commit crime

  • Variable paradigms in criminology (not a set number because it is a interdisciplinary field); Classical Criminology, Criminological Positivism, Critical Criminology



Old–School “Criminology”

  • Spiritualism or Demonology

  • What Changed?: Enlightenment (free will)



Classical School

  • Reform of European system

  • Cesare Beccaria: Rooted in social contract, innocent until proven guilty, punishments should be swift, certain and severe, punishment should fit, offenders should be viewed as rational

  • Jeremy Bentham: Hedonism (rational egoism), seek pleasure and avoid pain

  • Law needs to deter individuals

  • Lost popularity in mid 1800s

  • Modern Versions (1970s-): Deterrence Theory (General Deterrence, Specific Deterrence), Routine Activities Theory (Suitable Target, Lack of Capable Guardian, Motivated Offender), Temperature & Crime?

  • Does Deterrence Work?



Positivism

  • Use scientific method to understand the origins of crime

  • Focus on criminal actor not criminal acts: External and/or internal factors that are predictive of crime

  • Cesare Lombroso: OG of Positivism, Born criminals, Atavism (i.e. eye defects, large or small ears, tattoos, strange nose shape, facial hair, non-whites), Racist/Classist/Sexist pseudoscience

  • Modern Positivism: Do we still think physical features define criminals?; Uses actual science (Social Disorganization Theory)

  • Chicago School of Criminology in 1920s: Crime was highest with poverty, ethnic mix, and residential turnover; not the people, but the place; Neighborhood Disorder —-> Crime (social cohesion)



Modern Positivism (Big Three)

  • Social Learning Theory: Edwin Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory (People become criminal when they are exposed to criminal definitions); Definitions vary based on frequency, duration, priority, intensity; Solution is to learn positive definitions against crime

  • Social Bonds Theory or Social Controls Theory: Travis Hirschi; attachment, commitment, involvement, belief; Solution to crime is to strengthen social bonds

  • Social Strain Theory: Robert Merton; Disjuncture between goals and means; Solution to crime is to cope with strain