Classical Theories Of Criminology

In the science of criminology there are an abundance of theories, or perspectives to make sense and achieve comprehension as to why criminals’ exhibit felonious behaviors. Two of these theories include: classical perspective and positivist perspective. Classical perspective ascertains that people think before they proceed with criminal actions. For example when one commits a crime, it is because the individual decided that it was advantageous to commit that crime. In contrast to the classical perspective, positivist perspective rejects the idea that each individual makes a conscious, rational choice to commit a crime; rather, some individuals are anomalous in intelligence, social acceptance, or some other way, and that causes them to commit crimes. There are several variables evident in discerning classical perspectives from positivist perspectives: the time period in which the theories were constructed, psychological motivations versus physiological motivations, and their ideas of lawful reprimand.

The time periods in which both classical and positivist perspectives were theorized had an impact on their overall system of beliefs. The classical perspective was constructed during the mid-eighteenth century where prior to the development of this theory, the causation of criminal activity was believed to be that of either supernatural or religious factors. The punishments during the post-enlightenment era were often barbarous and harsh, typically resulting in the death of offenders. The classical perspective came about subsequent the age of enlightenment, when social philosophers started arguing for a more rational approach to criminal punishment. Their main objective was to eliminate public executions used to frighten citizens in...

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...n of the judiciary system whereas positivist perspectives emphasize the causation behind criminal behavior. Because of the positivists’ perspective on studying causation of actions, rather than focusing on how to punish criminals they put effort into methods of identifying “red flags” and rehabilitating people based on the deterministic (biological typically)factor they exhibit in order to prevent criminal behaviors.

In conclusion, both perspectives have had a significant impact on the criminal justice system we have today. Though classical and positivist perspectives opposed each other a great deal, both did away with the cruel, inhumane treatment of criminals and the reformation of the death penalty. Though the Constitution is based on the classical perspective, the positivist perspective made it possible to get criminals the help they need to be rehabilitated.