3 Criminological Theory Pt1
3 Criminological Theory Pt1
3 Criminological Theory Pt1
Early approaches:
1. ‘Classicism’
2. ‘Positivism’
1. Classicism
Cesare Beccaria:
• Motivated by self-interest
Key issues:
• The psychology of offending
• Zone 1. Business
district
• Zone 2. Zone in
Transition
• Zone 3.
Working-class
housing
1 2 3 4 5 • Zone 4. Middle-
class housing
• Zone 5. Affluent
suburbs.
The Chicago School: landmark
studies/theories
• Shaw and McKay Juvenile Delinquency and
Urban Areas, 1942
• Zone 1. Business
district
• Zone 2. Zone in
Transition
• Zone 3.
Working-class
housing
1 2 3 4 5 • Zone 4. Middle-
class housing
• Zone 5. Affluent
suburbs.
Review questions
• Do we need to theorize crime in order to
reduce it?
• Are classicism and positivism just outdated
theories or do they remain relevant to
understanding crime and control?
• Is crime a product of free-will or is it
determined by psychological, biological or
social factors?