SOC225 Chapter 3: Chapter 3.docx
9 Apr 2014
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Positivism- crime is explained by reference to forces and factors outside the decision-making ability of the individual. Social context: during industrial revolution major technological developments and entrenchment of mass production. Flow of free labor created new working class- proletariat. Immigration to canada provides an opportunity for a better life based on hard work and honesty. Positivism is based on the idea of a scientific understanding of crime and criminality: definition of crime natural violation of social consensus, extends beyond a legal definition, deviant behaviour with respect to social harms. Biological positivism- lombroso distinguishes different types of human individuals and to classify them on the basis of racial and biological difference. Imbecile= less than a level of 3 year old. The process of improving, either physically or mentally, the racial qualities of the future generations. Examples, marriage laws, segregation, sterilization of undesirable characteristics. Contemporary examples- two major strands: forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology.
