Early theories of Crime Flashcards
Before the 18th century what were theories of crime inspired by
religious beliefs and superstitions
- crime was caused by evil spirits
who was responsible for deviant behavior in Christian tradition
evil spirit were responsible for deviant behavior
how were sins committed through possession
the devil and other spirits could possess someone t make then commit a sin
- in these cases the person would not be considered responsible for their actions
what is Trial by Ordeal
the determination of innocence or guilt through painful or dangerous actions
when were extreme forms of punishments were used and why
during the period of inquisition, half a million people killed because they were accused of witchcraft
what was the age of Enlightenment
major developments in philosophy, music, literature, and science.
- thinkers argues against religious superstitions and gave new explanations
what were the 3 major contributions that the age of Enlightenment made
- people are free and rational beings
- individual right and freedoms
- The social contract
what is the social contract
when people are in a society they agree to cooperate for social benefits
what was the classical schools causes to crime
people commit crimes primary for rational reasonse
what was the classical schools responses to crime
preventing crime needs a system of punishment that would make crime against individuals self interest
- making punishment proportional to crime
when did the statistical school emerge
in the first half of the 19th century
what did the statistical school bring
- new developments in statistical methods
- increased availability of data
what are the statistical school causes of crime
that crime is a result of natural causes
- crime caused by biological factors beyond an individuals control
what did positive school thinkers think of criminals
that they were less advanced in evolutionary terms
what was the main investigations on criminals beingless advanced in evolutionary terms
detailed comparisons of “criminals” and “non-criminals”
- physical traits
- moral traits
