 Criminology refers to the study of the nature, causes, and means of dealing with crime

 Classical theories on criminology came out of the chaos of justice in the 18th and early 19th centuries  Some key thinkers: ◦ Cesare Beccaria ◦ Jeremy Bentham

 Famous for writing On Crimes and Punishment ◦ Humans are driven by self-interest, but are rational in their decisions ◦ Government should act on behalf of all citizens ◦ Citizens are prepared to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection ◦ Existence of law should act as sufficient deterrent ◦ Punishment should be proportionately greater than enjoyment received by disobeying

 Based his view on theory of utilitarianism ◦ Law should ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people ◦ Social contract between government and people, each with clear responsibilities  Government to make clear what was illegal and what punishment would arise  Citizens to follow laws as created

Those in group "A" are all shoplifters, "B" are swindlers, "H" are purse snatchers, "E" are murderers, etc

 Began in late 19th century  Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour  Based on the idea that criminals are born, not made ◦ nature trumps nurture  Generally discredited today

 Cesare Lombroso ◦ Studied cadavers of criminals ◦ Argued that criminals had distinct physical features  XYY Theory ◦ Chromosomal abnormalities may explain criminal behaviour ◦ Debunked when researchers proved idea incorrect

SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

 Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour rather than legal system ◦ Lombroso “born criminal theory” ◦ XYY theory

◦ Proposed by Emile Durkheim ◦ Argued that as society moved from rural to urban, traditional values and bonds that regulated behaviour were weakened ◦ People would turn to crime living in a big city, no longer restrained by norms of society ◦ Called this state of isolation “anomie”

◦ Argued that criminal behaviour was encouraged or fostered in certain environments ◦ Communities that suffered from high rates of poverty and social disintegration were more likely to condone criminal activity than affluent areas

◦ Consensus theorists assume there is a universal definition of right and wrong and that criminal law reflects this consensus ◦ Argue that criminal laws prohibit behaviours that society agrees are harmful

◦ Argues that people commit crimes when they believe they cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitimate means. ◦ The stress of goals of acquiring wealth (success and power), and the means to achieve these goals (education, economic resources) are denied to the economically disadvantaged

◦ Suggests the key influences leading to criminal behaviour are found in upbringing, peer groups, and role models

◦ Argues that some human traits such as intelligence, personality, chemical and genetic makeup may predispose people to engage in criminal behaviour ◦ Research suggests that the following can cause a person to become a criminal  Poor diet (“Twinkie Defense”)  Influence of hormones (androgens)  Exposure to drugs/alcohol in the womb

◦ Focus on the study of brain activity and how neurological dysfunctions are connected with criminal activity  Twin studies