Classical and Positivist Criminology

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses two of the most prominent schools of criminology: classical thinking and the positivist perspective. The paper compares the different precepts upon which each school of thought operates and analyzes each of the theories and their key assumptions. The paper then discusses their attribution of causal factors and each of their approaches to addressing crime.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Classical Criminology
Positivist Criminology
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The school of classical criminology differs significantly from the thinking demonstrated under the positivist approach to crime. Classical criminology has its origins in the concepts of free will, individual decision-making and the benefits of society to the individual. The school addresses the problem of crime using punishment and deterrent actions. On the other hand, positivism rejects the concept of the individual and free will and instead embraces the idea of enduring evolutionary traits that define a basic criminal personality, and which can be assessed using scientific methods. The two perspectives, though very different (and even contradictory) in nature, both provide the basis for a cohesive overall approach to addressing the problem of crime as a wide variety of approaches are incorporated."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Schmalleger, F. & Volk, R. (2005). Canadian Criminology Today: Theories and Applications. Second Ed. Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall.

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