Name: Novert L.

Antano Date: April 12, 2024

Block/year: B-1 Score:

Final Research Assignment in Theories of Crime Causation (CRIM 200)

Classical Theory of Crime Causation

The Classical School emerged during the Enlightenment period in the 18 th
century, notably advocated by Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. It
south to reform the legal system, emphasizing rationality and the social
contract theory.

Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham are central figures in this theory.
Beccaria’s work “on Crimes and Punishments” (1764) argued for the
proportionality of punishment to the crime committed, advocating for the
certainty and swiftness of punishment to deter crime.

Fundamental Principles:

 Rational Choice: Individuals weigh the potential benefits and

consequences of their actions, choosing to commit crimes when the
perceived benefits outweigh the potential costs.
 Deterrence: The severity, certainty, and celerity of punishment deter
individuals from engaging in criminal behavior.
 Free Will: People have free Will to choose between right and wrong,
and they are responsible for their actions.
 Core Assumptions: Classical theorists assume that all individuals are
rational actors who seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
They also believe that punishment should be proportional to the crime
and that legal systems should be fair and transparent.

Biological Theory of Crime Causation

The Biological perspective emerged in the 19 th century, influenced by the
work of Cesare Lombroso, who proposed the idea of the “born criminal” in
his book “Criminal Man” (1876).

Cesare Lombroso is a key figure in biological criminology. He argued that

criminals were biological distinct from non-criminals, exhibiting physical
anomalies and atavistic features.
Fundamental Principles:

 Biological Determinism: Criminal behavior is attributed to biological

factor such as genetics, brain abnormalities, and hormonal
imbalance.
 Core Assumptions: Biological theorists assume that criminal
behavior is largely predetermined by biological factors, and that
individuals may have innate characteristics that predispose them
criminality.

Sociological Theory of Crime Causation

The Sociological perspective gained prominence in the 19 th and 20th
centuries, with figures like Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Robert
Merton contributing to it’s development.

Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Robert Merton are influential sociological
criminologists. Durkheim emphasized the role of social integration and
regulation in preventing crime, while Marx focused on the relationship
between crime and socioeconomic inequality. Merton introduced strain
theory, which posits that crime occurs when individuals are unable to
achieve culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means.

Fundamental Principles:

 Social Structure: Crime is influence social factors such as poverty,

inequality, socialization, and institutional anomie.
 Anomie: A state of normlessness or moral confusion that occurs when
there is a disjunction between cultural goals and the legitimate means
to achieve them.
 Social Learning: Criminal behavior is learned through interaction
with others, especially within deviant subcultures.
 Core Assumptions: Sociological theorists assume that criminal
behavior is influence by social and environmental factors, including
family dynamics, peer influence, socioeconomic status, and cultural
norms.

Comparison and Contrast:

Similarities: All three theories attempt to explain the causes of
criminal behavior. They acknowledge that various factors,
whether rational decision -making, biological predispositions, or
social environment, contribute to criminality.
Difference: Classical theory emphasizes individual rationality
and free will, while biological Theory focuses on innate biological
factors. Sociological theory highlights the role of social Structures
and environmental influences.
Classical theory emphasizes punishment as a deterrent, while
sociological Theory focuses on addressing social inequalities and
structural factors. Biological theory suggests biological
interventions or treatments for criminal behavior.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Classical theory:

 Strengths: Emphasizes individual responsibility and the importance of

swift and certain punishment in deterring crime.
 Weaknesses: Oversimplifies human behavior by assuming perfect
rationality and ignores on decision-making.

Biological Theory:

 Strengths: Acknowledge the role of biological factors in criminal

behavior, which can inform interventions and treatments.
 Weaknesses: Oversimplifies the complex interplay between genetics,
environment, and discrimination based on biological traits.

Sociological Theory:
 Strengths: Considers the impact of social structures and
environmental factors on criminal behavior, providing a holistic
understanding of Crime.
 Weaknesses: May downplay individual agency and responsibility. Can
be challenging to empirically test and measure social theories.
Relevance in Contemporary Society:
 Crime Prevention: Sociological theorists inform interventions aimed
at addressing social inequalities, poverty, and marginalization to
prevent crime.
 Criminal Justice Policies: Classical theories influence policies
focusing on deterrence theories advocate for rehabilitation and social
reintegration.
 Intervention Strategies: Biological theories inform interventions
targeting genetic predispositions or neurobiological factors underlying
criminal behavior.

Significance and Challenges:

Understanding different theories of Crime Causation is crucial for
developing comprehensive approaches to crime Prevention and Criminal
Justice. However, applying these theories in practice poses challenges
due to the multifaceted nature of Crime . Balancing individual rights,
social justice, and public safety requires a nuanced understanding of
these theories and their implications for policy and practice.
Collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners is
essential for effectively addressing the root causes of Crime and
promoting safe communities.