Notes Criminology Basic Elements of Classical Criminology

Notes CriminologyBasic Elements of Classical CriminologyBasic Elements of Classical CriminologyPeople have free will and criminal or lawful solutions to meet needsCriminal solutions can be attractiveA person will not commit crime if they believe that the pain expected from thepunishment is greater than the promised reward (deterrence)Punishment needs to be severe, certain, and swift to be effective19Century PositivismthNew way to look at crime that challenged the validity of the classical schoolIn other areas of study(biology,chemistry,and astronomy)scientists started using thescientific methodCareful observation and analysis of natural phenomenaBasic Elements of PositivismAll true knowledge is acquired through direct observationStatements that could not be backed up by direct observation are invalidThe scientific method must be used if research findings are to be consideredvalid.Includes stepsIdentifying problemsCollecting dataFormatting hypothesesConducting experimentsInterpreting resultsBiological PositivismPhysiognomistsStudied facial features of criminals to determine if the shape ofears, nose, and eyes were associated with antisocial behavioroPhrenologistsStudied the shape of the skull and bumps on the headto determine whether they were associated with criminal behavioro