Criminology Chapter 2 (Classical and Neoclassical)

The Classical School

-classical theory is one of the oldest explanation of crime
-formally originated in the 18th century
---Its a school of THOUGHT not a SPECIFIC THEORY

Classical Theory of Criminology

-began in 1764 with 'Of Crime of Punishments' by CESARE BECCARIA
-this book drew from the concepts of the ENLIGHTENMENT movement in Europe
-theory focused on SOCIAL HARM PREVENTION as opposed to moral retribution of law

Deterrence (prevention)

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Deterrence definition

Legal reform implementing a more FAIRand RATIONAL justice system, which would deter people from crime, was thought to be the answer to the crime problem.

Beccaries Perspective is rooted in 3 fundamental assumptions

1. people are generally good but need negative motivation
2. behavior is calculated
-weigh the risks and benefits with it
3. crime control is an attainable goal
-through negative motivation, threat of punishment

Bentham

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Panopticon

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Classical Criminology Assumptions (3 of them)

-several assumptions underlie classical criminology
1. people have free will
2. people exhibit hedonism (pursuit of pleasure) and egoism (self seeking)
3. people have rationality
-people are able to sit down and make calculations on whats going to happen

Deterrence theory

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How deterrence works

-to understand deterrence one must accept basic classical ideas about HUMAN NATURE
-much of the problem with crime is that it "FEELS GOOD"
-Crime must be controlled be NEGATIVE MEANS (punishment)

Beccaria argues that the effectiveness of deterrence will depend on 3 characteristics related to punishment administration, they are

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Relativity

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Limitations of Deterrence

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Boundedness of decision making

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General Deterrence

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Specific Deterrence

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Research on Deterrence Theories

research to study deterrence DIFFICULT to accomplish

Difficulties of researching deterrence theories

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