Compare and Contrast two criminological approaches to understanding the commission of crime
“Compare and Contrast two criminological approaches to understanding the commission of crime.”
Criminologists seek to understand the commission of crime in a given society, attempting to figure out why certain crimes occur, and then to study how these can be prevented, and deterred by individuals. The two key approaches I will examine in this assignment is that of the early 'Classicalist' approach, and the opposing 'Positivist' approach, each of which are crucial for understanding modern criminology today. In the late eighteenth century Britain went through an Enlightenment period, which is also referred to as 'The Age of Reason' (Paine, 1794) and this is because reason was emphasised over religion, secularisation transformed society, new ways of thinking were introduced which influenced the 'Classicalism' theory. This approach was first developed by the Italian scholar Cesare Beccaria, who argued that it is very natural for humans to engage in deviant and criminal thoughts, and it is then an individuals choice whether they want to pursue these deviant thoughts, as “man [is] a rational calculating animal” (Bentham, 1749) when it comes to crime. For instance if the potential gains and pleasure from illegal acts outweigh the potential pains of punishment the crime will be committed. It is through rational thoughts and free-will whether an individual chooses to fulfil illegal activities. Beccaria had a simple conclusion, which was to make the crime harder to commit, and this had several elements to it. Firstly, crime can be controlled by the fear of punishment, thus crime that is perceived to be severe and certain will deter criminal behaviour (Siegal, 2010) therefore crimes should be harder to commit and the punishment should fit the crime. Another key thinker of this theory was Jeremy Bentham, also believed in this idea of utilitarianism he sought to reform the prisons in England. He was very critical of the criminal justice system of the eighteenth
Criminologists seek to understand the commission of crime in a given society, attempting to figure out why certain crimes occur, and then to study how these can be prevented, and deterred by individuals. The two key approaches I will examine in this assignment is that of the early 'Classicalist' approach, and the opposing 'Positivist' approach, each of which are crucial for understanding modern criminology today. In the late eighteenth century Britain went through an Enlightenment period, which is also referred to as 'The Age of Reason' (Paine, 1794) and this is because reason was emphasised over religion, secularisation transformed society, new ways of thinking were introduced which influenced the 'Classicalism' theory. This approach was first developed by the Italian scholar Cesare Beccaria, who argued that it is very natural for humans to engage in deviant and criminal thoughts, and it is then an individuals choice whether they want to pursue these deviant thoughts, as “man [is] a rational calculating animal” (Bentham, 1749) when it comes to crime. For instance if the potential gains and pleasure from illegal acts outweigh the potential pains of punishment the crime will be committed. It is through rational thoughts and free-will whether an individual chooses to fulfil illegal activities. Beccaria had a simple conclusion, which was to make the crime harder to commit, and this had several elements to it. Firstly, crime can be controlled by the fear of punishment, thus crime that is perceived to be severe and certain will deter criminal behaviour (Siegal, 2010) therefore crimes should be harder to commit and the punishment should fit the crime. Another key thinker of this theory was Jeremy Bentham, also believed in this idea of utilitarianism he sought to reform the prisons in England. He was very critical of the criminal justice system of the eighteenth