Classicist Theory Of Crime Essay
In Block 1 you were introduced to three perspectives on crime, law and order: classicism, positivism and social constructionism.
With reference to the materials in Block 1- and using your own words- define and explain each of these perspectives and discuss their historical and contemporary influence on theory and practice in youth justice.
This essay will discuss three prominent theories in the explanation of crime. This essay will compare and contract these theories, discussing their strengths and weaknesses; concluding with how each of these theories has tried to approach criminal behaviour from a different perspective.
One of the theories is Positivism; it is divided into three main categories: biological, psychological and sociological. In essence, this view maintains that people can only behave in ways that have …show more content…
The classicism theorists’ challenged this, introducing the idea that people had free will with choice and sanity. (Hopkins Burke, 2008)
Therefore, the theory is; crime is a product of a process of free choice, by the individual, whom assesses the potential benefits of committing the crime, against its potential costs. Moreover, people are FULLY aware and responsible for their actions- excuses and circumstances are not acceptable. Within this theory it has has been concluded that criminals are not predetermined but make rational calculations of the benefits and detriments prior to committing the crime; crimes are seen as the outcome of a rational decision.
The major importance of the classicism school of criminology is that it stresses the role of free will in people’s choices and that they (humans) are not passive observers in their own life (as Positivism suggests) but that they actively choose and engage in the actions which will satisfy
With reference to the materials in Block 1- and using your own words- define and explain each of these perspectives and discuss their historical and contemporary influence on theory and practice in youth justice.
This essay will discuss three prominent theories in the explanation of crime. This essay will compare and contract these theories, discussing their strengths and weaknesses; concluding with how each of these theories has tried to approach criminal behaviour from a different perspective.
One of the theories is Positivism; it is divided into three main categories: biological, psychological and sociological. In essence, this view maintains that people can only behave in ways that have …show more content…
The classicism theorists’ challenged this, introducing the idea that people had free will with choice and sanity. (Hopkins Burke, 2008)
Therefore, the theory is; crime is a product of a process of free choice, by the individual, whom assesses the potential benefits of committing the crime, against its potential costs. Moreover, people are FULLY aware and responsible for their actions- excuses and circumstances are not acceptable. Within this theory it has has been concluded that criminals are not predetermined but make rational calculations of the benefits and detriments prior to committing the crime; crimes are seen as the outcome of a rational decision.
The major importance of the classicism school of criminology is that it stresses the role of free will in people’s choices and that they (humans) are not passive observers in their own life (as Positivism suggests) but that they actively choose and engage in the actions which will satisfy