Criminological Theories Flashcards
What is the classical theory, who developed it, and what are the theoretical solutions to crimes associated with it?
The belief that crime is caused by the individual’s free will as humans are rational and make decisions freely with the understanding of consequences – humans rationally choose actions that will bring them pleasure, and crime is an immoral form of behaviour
Theoretical solution: more prisons and stiffer criminal laws with greater penalties for offenders – the role of the government is to control crime by enacting laws and ensuring that they are enforced through swift punishment that is severe enough to deter criminals from committing crime
Developed by Cesare Beccaria
What is the positive theory, who developed it, and what are the theoretical solutions to crimes associated with it?
The belief that people’s actions are determined by biological and psychological factors, and that criminal behaviour results from chromosomal abnormalities; criminals are born, not made
Theoretical solution: indeterminate (undefined; not set in stone) sentencing, since people should be incarcerated only until they are deemed rehabilitated – the punishment should fit the criminal instead of the crime
Developed by Cesare Lombroso
What is the psychoanalytical theory, who developed it, and what are the theoretical solutions to crimes associated with it?
The belief that all humans have criminal tendencies that are controlled during childhood through socialization – if a child has an identity problem with their parent(s), this problem may cause them to direct their antisocial tendencies outward (i.e. by becoming a criminal)
Theoretical solution: rehabilitation to redirect criminal tendencies – emphasis on strong socialization to prevent criminal behaviour
Developed by Sigmund Freud
What is the sociological theory, who developed it, and what are the theoretical solutions to crimes associated with it?
The belief that criminal behaviour is caused by one’s social environment – people engage in criminal behaviour because they do not see the benefits of adhering to conventional societal values, and they believe that crime is a way to improve personal social conditions (e.g. people in big cities are able to stay anonymous, thus they do not feel the constraints of society as strongly; weak/broken bonds to family, school, and religion are the catalysts of criminal behaviour)
Theoretical solution: social programs that change the cultural and social conditions that lead people into crime – positive alternatives divert people’s actions away from criminal activity and create a sense of belonging, competence, and empowerment
Developed by Émile Durkheim
What is the social conflict theory, who developed it, and what are the theoretical solutions to crimes associated with it?
The belief that the capitalist society encourages crime as it forces people to compete for resources and wealth
Theoretical solution: eliminate the capitalist system – our society protects those with power and property, thus people who are economically disadvantaged are more likely to be punished by the justice system
Developed by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels
