Classical Criminology

Overview of Classical and Positivistic Criminology

  • Classical Criminology

    • Understanding human nature and crime.
    • Central ideas include free will, rational decision-making, and hedonism (pleasure-seeking).
    • Key theories discussed:
    • Deterrence Theory: Focuses on the certainty of punishment to deter crime.
    • Rational Choice Theory: Extension of deterrence, examines costs and benefits of crime.
    • Routine Activity Theory: States three conditions must come together for a crime:
      • A lack of guardianship (guardian absent).
      • A target or victim must be present.
      • A motivated offender must be willing to commit the crime.

  • Positivism

    • Emerged in the early 19th century as a response to classical criminology.
    • Rejects free will and emphasizes determinism.
    • Focus on biological, psychological, and social predispositions towards criminal behavior.
    • Characteristics:
    • Measurement: Collecting data and using statistical methods to study crime.
    • Objectivity: Value-free and unbiased research aiming for concrete findings.
    • Determinism: Suggests crime is influenced by external factors and predispositions rather than free choice.

  • Implications for Crime Prevention: Transition from punitive measures to rehabilitation approaches informed by empirical evidence.

Exam Structure

  • Exam 2 is coming up, structured differently than Exam 1.
  • Contains 70 matching questions worth 0.5 points each.
  • Theories can be reused, and some may not be applicable.
  • Preparation tools include:
    • Theory chart available on Blackboard for organizing notes.
    • Useful for studying and applying theories in future classes and group projects.
  • Group project involves applying theories to real events or offenders.

Group Project Description

  • Group project requires:
    • Selecting current theories discussed in class.
    • Applying these theories to real-world offenders or events, e.g., characters from crime documentaries or cases.
    • Writing a group essay and preparing a presentation.
    • Group formations will be formalized in class.

Transition to Positivistic Criminology

  • Focus of today’s class: Positivistic criminology or positivism.
  • Shift from classical assumptions on human behavior to exploring biological and social influences on crime.
  • The shift involves collecting and interpreting data regarding the causes of crime rather than merely responding to it with punishment.

Basic Premises of Positivism

  1. Measurement:
    • Emphasizes the importance of gathering quantitative data and identifying patterns.
    • Aims to utilize measurable constructs to understand human behaviors related to crime.
  2. Objectivity:
    • Encourages a scientific approach to studying crime, eliminating researcher bias.
    • Aims for findings based on data rather than subjective interpretations.
  3. Determinism:
    • Focuses on identifying causal factors behind criminal behaviors, positing that these behaviors can be studied scientifically.
    • Shifts focus from punitive responses to understanding and rehabilitating offenders.

Key Historical Figures in Positivism

  • Cesar Lombroso (Father of Positivism):

    • Proposed that criminals are born, identified by physical characteristics.
    • Suggested physical deformities could predict criminality (e.g., head shape, jaw features).
    • Contributed to the biological determinism perspective in criminology, leading to potential stigmatization of individuals based on appearance.

  • Charles Goring:

    • Conducted studies debunking Lombroso’s claims through empirical research on 3,000 inmates.
    • Concluded that no significant physical differences existed between criminals and the general population but suggested internal factors like intelligence influenced criminal behavior.

  • E. A. Hooten:

    • Opposed Goring's conclusions; argued physical characteristics corresponded to criminality, but findings later criticized for bias reflecting race and socioeconomic status.

  • William Sheldon and Somatotype Theory:

    • Classified individuals into three body types: endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs, linking them to personality traits and aggressive behaviors.
    • Significance lies in the attempt to connect physical attributes with behavioral tendencies.

Modern Perspectives on Biological Criminology

  • Shift towards Biosocial Criminology:

    • Emphasizes the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental factors.
    • Advocate for a more nuanced view of how genetic and social influences (e.g., low resting heart rates and their implications for crime susceptibility) intertwine in criminal behavior.

  • Interaction of Nature and Nurture:

    • The contemporary view acknowledges that human behavior results from genetic influences and environmental contexts.
    • This perspective aims to identify risk factors and develop interventions to prevent criminal behavior.

Critiques of Earlier Biological Theories

  • Earlier biological theories criticized for deterministic views.
  • Over-simplified the complexities of human behavior to physical attributes.
  • Those perspectives continue to inform modern criminology debates but require a balanced understanding of biological, psychological, and social components that interact to influence crime.