SOCI-225 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Cesare Beccaria, Moral Panic, Premenstrual Syndrome
15 May 2018
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Class #5 – Ch. 8 – May 8th, 2018
Early Theories in Criminology:
- Prior to the 18th century, theories about crime were religious based. Ex. Salem witch trails in
the middle ages.
- Judeo-Christianity – Devil is there to tempt and possession. Our responsibility to use
willpower to not be tempted. The weakest Christian, morally inferior would fall to
temptation. (Eve eating the apple, bad and morally wrong Christian.
- Temptation: Linked to free will. We all exhibit the ability to choose.
- Deterrence – The threat of extreme punishment would be enough to persuade people not
to commit bad behaviours. In the 21st century we still hold this close, we think if we make
things worse people will be deterred but they aren’t.
- Possession – People committing wrongdoings were possessed by the demons or the devil.
Trail by battle, fire, water – regardless of whether the person was innocent/guilty. Death
was usually imminent.
Middle Ages: 5th to 15th century
- Inquisition and the Witch Craze. At the time they were dealing with changes in politics,
economics, rapid social change, and social upheaval.
- Protestant reformation – Challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the power of
Rome. Those in power were being held responsible for deteriorating conditions and social
problems, as a result the people in power had to divert the attention away from them…
- Bad behaviours started to be blamed on the Devil/The Devil’s Work, worked because it
diverted the attention away from the social elites and focus on blaming the poor for being
influenced by the Devil. The power’s could state that they were the only ones with the
knowledge and ability to deal with the Devil. By linking morality to rebellion, this prevented
anyone from challenging the status quo.
- Witch craze lasted 300 years, and 85% of people executed were women.
Classical School of Thought Late ’s
- Considered to be the 1st formal school of criminology.
- Introduced in a time where torture was common practice for those committing legal
infractions.
- 18th century England, there were approximately 350 offences that were punishable by
death. About 70% of deaths were for crimes such as robbery and burglary (Crimes of
poverty).
- Late ’s, the first person executed in Toronto was passing a bad cheque, death by
hanging.
Classical Theory of Crime:
- Cesare Beccaria (1764) Punishment should fit the crime, and it should be swift and certain
in order for deterrence to be effective.
- Made no distinction between offenders, situations or circumstances, saw everyone as
rational and calculating humans exercising their free will. – Many Canadians think this way.
- Viewed all humans as hedonistic – seek pleasure and avoid pain.
- We need the punishment in order to deter the offenders – the pain of punishment needs to
be greater than the pleasure. Fair way to punish those who were not deterred and who
chose to break the law.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Prior to the 18th century, theories about crime were religious based. Salem witch trails in to commit bad behaviours. In the 21st century we still hold this close, we think if we make willpower to not be tempted. The weakest christian, morally inferior would fall to temptation. (eve eating the apple, bad and morally wrong christian. Judeo-christianity devil is there to tempt and possession. Deterrence the threat of extreme punishment would be enough to persuade people not things worse people will be deterred but they aren"t. Possession people committing wrongdoings were possessed by the demons or the devil. Trail by battle, fire, water regardless of whether the person was innocent/guilty. Protestant reformation challenging the authority of the catholic church and the power of problems, as a result the people in power had to divert the attention away from them . Bad behaviours started to be blamed on the devil/the devil"s work, worked because it influenced by the devil.
