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Week 2 Assignment 2

Chapter 4

1. What are some of the basic concepts of the classical school of criminological theory? What is your opinion of the pros and cons of this theory?

Some of the basic concepts of the classical school of criminological theory are that the criminal is free to choose his/her path and rationalize their actions. According to our reading criminals were not deterred due to the severity of most crime. The book states that “Punishment should be sure, swift and certain, the seriousness of crime should be determined by the harm it inflicts on society and be based on the pleasure/pain principle, punishment should be based on seriousness of the crime and its ability to deter, laws should be structure so as to prevent crime in the first place. It is better to prevent crimes than to punish them, and all should be treated equally before the law” (Hagan, 2011).

The con to this is that it’s all based on a theory that the individuals themselves will ultimately make the decision by themselves. We find that providing education, employment and programs to assist prisoners after jail are more effective against recidivism so therefore in its basic form the classical school of criminological theory may not be too effective.

2. What are some primary ideas of the Marxist approach to criminology?

Some primary ideas of the Marxist approach to criminology are that it is based on the constant struggle of class and according to the author on our book he states that it is a “dialectical process in which theses (existing ideas or institutions) spawn their opposites, or antitheses, until a final synthesis (new idea or social order) emerges” (Hagan, 2011). This idea also states that the law serves the ruling class, the difference in distribution of wealth and goods are the reason for poverty and essentially crime, and that the wealthy may not be punished (Hagan, 2011).

3. What are some basic findings of Quetelet and Guerry and their ecological approach to criminology?

Some basic findings of Quetelet and Guerry and their ecological approach to criminology are that higher crime rates were due to a greater opportunity. They believed in that crime was affected by age, sex, economic conditions and other sociological factors (Hagan, 2011).

4. Who were the Nacirema? Do you think that their behavior is bizarre?

The Nacirema was a name used by Anthropologis Horace Miner to make fun of Americans in a writing called The Body Ritual of the Nacirema (Hagan, 2011).

If I based the story on today’s standards then I would not find their behavior as bizarre, most of what Miner talks about is exactly what occurs in today’s society. He talks about computers, the superficial American and the busy society today.

5. In examining arguments for or against the death penalty, how does classical and neoclassical theory play a role in this debate?

The classical theory is specific about capital punishment. It states that it should not be used it states that punishments should be used for a deterrence. The neoclassical theory thrives on the fact that criminal will be deterred by more severe punishment, one being capital punishment.

(Hagan, 2011)

6. What are some of the major points raised by economic theory in explaining crime?

Some of the major points raised by economic theory in explaining crime are that economy determines how social groups will react. This theory states that capitalism creates inequality, furthermore the exploitation of the lowest class than reacts creating social problems (Hagan, 2011).

7. What was the “rational choice theory” of crime causation? What implications does this theory have for explaining crime?

The “rational choice theory” of crime causation is based on the decisions that individuals make and that the circumstances of the crime are different based on the crime (Hagan, 2011).

The implications that this theory has for explaining crime are that even if only part of the individuals behavior is based on the individual, the other is based on the offense type. Basically it based on a choice between cost and benefits and opportunities. It also states that if the opportunity is removed than the crime can be prevented (Hagan, 2011).

8. Are there any parallels between demonological theories of crime and current society?

There are some societies where demonological theories of crime parallel current society. The book brings up Iran and its theories that subject individual to torture and death based on their beliefs (Hagan, 2011).

9. What is neoclassical theory and of what relevance is it to modern concepts of corrections?

The Neoclassical theory is a theory where criminals choose crime based on the threat of being caught, this theory also begins at looking at the reasons for crime and what can be used to deter. Today’s concepts much relies on this theory (Hagan, 2011). Presently our system offer drug rehabilitation programs, discretion with police/court, training, education and counseling in an attempt to fix issue.

10. What is the current status of geographic theories in criminology?

The current status of geographic theories in criminology is based on pollutants, toxins and weather. It explains that much of what happens is base on these things not just being the cause but instead they are what pushes crime (Hagan, 2011).

Chapter 5

2. Some feel that modern sociobiology is a far cry from the primitive early biological positivism. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your answer.

I agree due to the fact that there is not much comparison. The modern theories are much different in that the biology reacts to the environment to create a reaction. Each individual reacts differently. In the primitive early biological positivism most of research was conducted erroneously and therefore is it is difficult to compare (Hagan, 2011).

4. What are the basic elements of the positivist approach? How does this differ from classical theory?

The basic elements of the positivist approach are measurement, objectivity and causality. The Positivist look at specifically the individual and not the crime. The positivistic approach uses the scientific approach. Classical Theory on the other hand looks specifically at the crime and punishment in order to see how it can be deterred (Hagan, 2011).

6. What is the “ nature vs. nurture” controversy and how are twin and adoption studies designed to address this issue? What has been resolved by research?

The “nature vs. nurture” controversy is the debate that looks to see whether crime is learned or inherited. The twin and adoption studies were designed to address this issue by looking at twins and looking at their sibling to see whether they are also criminals. The research has found that “significance of hereditary factors in registered crime is nonexistent” (Hagan, 2011). The study also found that there were closer similarities on monozygotic than dizygotic (Hagan, 2011).

7. What is the claimed relationship between intelligence and crime according to Hirschi and Hindelang? What are some criticisms of this claimed relationship?

The claimed relationship between intelligence and crime according to Hirschi and Hindelang is that intelligence can predict delinquency on white boys than in social class, intelligence is a good predictor than father’s social class and lower intelligence can have higher rates of recidivism (Hagan, 2011).

Some criticisms of this claimed relationship were that there were no conclusions of research. Other researchers also found other findings which were against their findings (Hagan, 2011).

8. What are some characteristics of a psychopath?

Some characteristics of psychopath are inadequate socialized personality, aggressive, unrestrained, and attention-drawing behavior (Hagan, 2011).

Hagan, F. E. (2011). Introduction to Criminology: Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior, Seventh Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. .

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