SOC 1500 Lecture 5: Week 5 Crime

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1500
• Professor: J.Bruce Morton

Document Summary

Week 5: biological and psychological theories of crime: february 7th-9th 2012. the application of the scientific method to the study of the human condition (o grady, 2011:74). classical school had a monopoly on crime until the later part of the 19th century. proposed that crime is not rationally reasoned behaviour, but is a result of inborn abnormalities. people are not equal they are different! Could demonstrate biological or psychological factors that make them a criminal. focus of analysis is on the nature and characteristics of the offender rather than on the criminal act. the positivist approach is directed towards the treatment vs. punishment of offenders (therefore indeterminate sentences). solution to crime is less about treatment and more about the punishment. Classicism crime a legal entity, free will, punishment as a deterrent. Positivism crime a biological or psychological entity, behavior is determined, treatment of criminals to protect society.