1. Unit 3: Criminal Law
Criminology

2. Historical Perspectives On Criminology
Those in group "A" are all shoplifters, "B" are swindlers, "H" are purse snatchers, "E" are murderers, etc

3. Historical Perspectives: Classical Theory
Solutions
Punishment is because people choose to commit a crime.
The punishment should be severe enough to deter criminals from committing a crime.
The punishment should fit the crime.
Definition
Human beings are rational, and make decisions freely and with understanding of consequences.
Persons rationally choose actions that will bring them pleasure.
Crime is an immoral form of behaviour.

4. Positivist School
Focused on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behaviour rather than legal system
Lombroso “born criminal theory”
XYY theory

5. Theory Of Anomie Proposed by Emile Durkheim
Argued that as society moved from rural to urban, traditional values that regulated behaviour weakened
People would turn to crime living in a big city, no longer restrained by norms of society
Called this state of isolation “anomie”

6. Ecological School
Argued that criminal behaviour was encouraged or fostered in certain environments
Communities that suffered from high poverty & social disintegration were more likely to condone criminal activity than affluent areas

7. Consensus Theory
Consensus theorists assume there is a universal definition of right and wrong and that criminal law reflects this consensus
Argue that criminal laws prohibit behaviours that society agrees are harmful

8. Contemporary Theories Of Crime

9. Strain Theory
Argues that people commit crimes when they believe they cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitimate means.
The stress of goals of acquiring wealth (success and power), and the means to achieve these goals (education, economic resources) are denied to the economically disadvantaged

10. Socialization
Suggests the key influences leading to criminal behaviour are found in upbringing, peer groups, and role models

11. Biological Theories

12. Biological Trait Theory
Argues that some human traits such as intelligence, personality, chemical and genetic makeup may predispose people to engage in criminal behaviour
Research suggests that the following can cause a person to become a criminal
Poor diet (“Twinkie Defense”)
Influence of hormones (androgens)
Exposure to drugs/alcohol in the womb

13. Neurophysiological Theory
Focus on the study of brain activity and how neurological dysfunctions are connected with criminal activity
Twin studies