Origins of Modern Criminology: Classical versus Positive Theory

2072 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Strengths and weaknesses of classical theory criminology

By definition criminology is the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon involving criminals and penal treatment. The origins of criminology are rooted in the 1700s when society believed that crime was a result of supernatural forces. This demonic perspective supported the idea that temptation brought out evil forces in an individual (Cullen & Agnew, 2011, p. 21). Once possessed, a person was lured into sinful behavior. Such beliefs were prevalent and accepted due to the strong connection between the government and religion in implementing rules. In the 1800s, Cesare Beccaria and Cesare Lombroso set out to challenge this ideal by proposing two new, radical approaches. Beccaria introduced the classical theory of criminology emphasizing behavior while Lombroso presented his positive school of criminological thought emphasizing science to explain crime. As classical criminologists they based their critiques on their personal speculations as well as the work of other leading figures at the time. Ultimately, classical and positive theories of criminology can be compared and contrasted through their philosophical foundations, assumptions and policy implications. When comparing Beccaria and Lombroso’s theories, their ideas are similar because they reject the demonic perspective and stress alternative explanations. However, both theories are contrastable because Beccaria pursues the behavioral route while Lombroso relies on the scientific aspect to explain crime in society. In essence, both theories help guide the analysis and understanding of crime.

Comparison- philosophical foundations

Classical theory in criminology is centered on the philosophical foundation of Cesare Beccaria, Thomas Hobbes and Jeremy Bentham. Beccaria i...

... middle of paper ...

...attempts to treat and cure criminals. Regardless the approach, Classical Theory and Modern/Positive School findings facilitate the overall study and understanding of crime today.

Works Cited

Cullen, F. T., & Agnew, R. (2011). In Search for the Criminal "Man". Criminological theory: past to present: essential readings (4th ed., pp. 21-31). London: Oxford University Press.

Fischer, R. G. (Director) (2011, September 15). European History. Corrections: Theory, Policy and Practice. Lecture conducted from California State University Long Beach.

Grant, H. B., & Terry, K. J. (2012). Law Enforcement and the Law. Law enforcement in the 21st century (3rd ed., p. 66). Columbus: Pearson.

Schug, R. A. (Director) (2011, September 7). Historical Context of Criminological Theory. Criminological Theory. Lecture conducted from California State University Long Beach.

Show More
Related

  • Officer to Killer

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Criminology is the scientific study of the causes and prevention of crimes. Criminology also uses a vast amount of theories to explain peoples’ actions, mental state, and their drive for committing crimes. Some crimes have monetary benefits, while other crime are committed in revenge or in spite of another, which would be called crimes of passion. Because it can be sometime difficult to understand why certain crime are committed, the only thing we can do is use theories to better decipher thoughts, morals, and reasons behind committing crimes.

    Read More

  • Compare and Contrast Criminological Theories

    3235 Words  | 7 Pages

    Criminological theories interpret the competing paradigms of Human Nature, Social Order, Definition of Crime, Extent and Distribution of Crime, Causes of Crime, and Policy, differently. Even though these theories have added to societies understanding of criminal behaviour, all have been unable to explain why punishment or treatment of offenders is unable to prevent deviancy, and thus are ineffective methods of control. The new penology is a contemporary response that favours the management of criminals by predicting future harm on society. However, all criminological theories are linked as they are a product of the historical time and place, and because of their contextual history, they will continue to reappear depending on the current state of the world, and may even be reinvented.

    Read More

  • Critically assess the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Classical School of Criminology

    1675 Words  | 4 Pages

    The classical school is not concerned with why criminals are criminals, but seeks to reduce crime by using punishment as a means of deterrent, on the basis that individuals will choose to exercise their own free will and will employ rational decision making. By contrast, Ceasare Lombrosso (1835 – 1909) and the positivist school dismissed such ideas and theorised that criminality is a personality trait that one is born with and can be diagnosed by certain physical appearances, and is thus a more scientific method of establishing the reasons for criminal behaviour. However, this essay will concentrate on the strengths and weaknesses of the classical school.

    Read More

  • Three Eras Of Criminology

    216 Words  | 1 Pages

    The three eras that have characterized the field of criminology over the past 100 years are the “Golden Age of Research,” the “Golden Age of Theory,” and an unnamed era that was “’characterized by extensive theory testing of the dominant theories, using largely empirical methods’” (28). The “Golden Age of Research” era spanned from 1900 to 1930 according to John H. Laub. This era is identified as focusing heavily on the collection of data surrounding crime and the criminal. This data was assessed without “any particular ideational framework” (28). The second era, the “Golden Age of Theory,” spanned from 1930 to 1960, also according to Laub. This era is also rather self-explanatory, it is described by the development of theories; however, Laub

    Read More

  • Eras of American Policing and Their Origin

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    Walker, S., & Katz, C. (2012). Police in America: An Introduction (8th Edition ed.). New York:

    Read More

  • Crime and Deviance - Left and Right Realism

    1692 Words  | 4 Pages

    During the 1970’s to the early 1990’s there had emerged two new approaches to the study of crime and deviance. The discipline of criminology had expanded further introducing right and left realism, both believe in different areas and came together in order to try and get a better understanding on crime and prevention. There were many theorists that had influenced the realism approaches such as; Jock Young (Left Wing) and James Wilson (Right Wing).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Orthodox And Radical Criminology

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    To start of the first short essay I will start to compare and contrast the criminological theory that evaluates six differences between Radical and Orthodox. “Radical criminology is defined as a method that has been described of the meaning of the effects of the behavior of the individual that may or may not resolve in criminal behavior due to the effect of social identities”(Lynch &Michalowski,p.26). “Radical criminology has the various effects of economic influence that may possibly lead to an increase of crime such as property crimes due to the fact individuals are seeking to invest money”(Lynch & Michalowski, p.109).

    Read More

  • The History Of Criminal Justice

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    Time may pass and personal morals may change, but one of the strengths of the United States of America is its unwavering dedication to justice. Throughout time, this country’s methods and laws have grown and adapted, but the basis of the law enforcement’s work has remained the same: the safety and interest of the people.

    Read More

  • Public Order and Drug Crimes

    1306 Words  | 3 Pages

    ..., Larry J. (2006). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, & Typologies, 9th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. ISBN 0-495-00572-X. Print. 25 Feb 2014.

    Read More

  • Which Trait Theory Most Explains Criminal Behavior

    1238 Words  | 3 Pages

    Winslow, R. W., & Zhang, S. (2008). Contemporary Theories of Crime. Criminology: a global perspective (). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

    Read More

  • Criminology: The Consensus View of Crime

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    Criminology is the study of crime and criminals; a branch of sociology. More accurately, it is the study of crime as a social trend, and its overall origins, its many manifestations and its impact upon society as a whole. That makes it more a form of sociology than a law enforcement tool. But the trends it studies have a huge impact on the way the police do their jobs, the way society treats its criminals, and the way a given community goes about maintaining law and order. The writer will describe and give examples of the three perspectives of viewing crimes. The perspectives that will be highlighted are the consensus view, the conflict view or the interactionist view. Each perspective maintain its own interpretation of what constitutes criminal activities and what causes people to engage in criminal behaviors (Siegel, p.12).

    Read More

  • Theories Of Rational Choice Theory In Criminal Justice

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cesare Beccaria who was coined the father of criminology, helped form the way our criminal justice system today in the way that we look at deterring criminals and reducing crime. The Rational Choice Theory added to the conversation started by Classical Criminologists as it relates to reducing

    Read More

  • Classical School Of Criminology Essay

    1422 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Classical School of Criminology generally refers to the work of social contract and utilitarian philosophers Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham during the enlightenment in the 18th century. The contributions of these philosophers regarding punishment still influence modern corrections today. The Classical School of Criminology advocated for better methods of punishment and the reform of criminal behaviour. The belief was that for a criminal justice system to be effective, punishment must be certain, swift and in proportion to the crime committed. The focus was on the crime itself and not the individual criminal (Cullen & Wilcox, 2010). This essay will look at the key principles of the Classical School of Criminology, in particular

    Read More

  • The Positivist School of Criminology

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...hool of criminology is one of the oldest and most influential principles in the history of criminology. It finally got people to view criminals in a scientific way as opposed to some of the other, less effective methods which had been used previously. While Cesare Lombroso was the first to apply positivism to criminology, it was made possible by the efforts of Auguste Comte, who was the first person to suggest trying to solve problems using scientific reasoning (Adler et al 2012). Also the work of Charles Darwin was able to make society more receptive to the idea of science being an acceptable way to answer questions and solve problems in society. Those three men were able to make criminology a more legitimate and respected field.

    Read More

  • Reflection Paper On Criminology

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    In contrast to crime science’s concentration on finding the right answers to cease crimes against humanity, criminology emphasizes on the significance of investigating both crimes and criminals independently. If criminology is perceived to interpret crimes, then, criminal science is designated to fix

    Read More

More about Origins of Modern Criminology: Classical versus Positive Theory

Open Document