CHAPTER 3

EARLY GENERAL THEORIES

ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME
DEMONOLOGICAL THEORY

• earliest theory of crime causation that is

grounded on the belief that criminals were
possessed by evil spirit- a supernatural force
beyond one`s control which compel them to
commit crimes.
 POSITIVIST THEORY
• views crime as a product of the internal and
external factors which are beyond one`s control.
It implores science in explaining the causes of
crime and proposed the idea of individualized
treatment of offenders. Criminal offenders should
be considered as part of and not apart from the
society.
NEO CLASSICAL THEORY

• from the word "neo" which means new.

It argued that since children and lunatics
are incapable of calculating pain and
pleasure, they should be treated
differently.
CLASSICAL THEORY
• views crime as a product of free will, and
rational choice. It anchors on the argument
that human beings are endowed with free
will and rationality, and that human actions
are results of the rational calculation of the
costs and benefits (rewards).
• Free will-It refers to human's
freedom or capacity to act or decide
in his own
• Rationality- means performing an
act, or make a decision with sound
judgment.
CONFLICT THEORY

• is a theory propounded by Karl Marx that claims

society is in a state of perpetual conflict because
of competition for limited resources. Conflict
theory holds that social order is maintained by
domination and power, rather than by consensus
and conformity.
CRITICAL THEORY

• an approach to social philosophy that

focuses on reflectiving assessment in
order to reveal and challenge power
structures.