Paradigm Summaries PDF

Preview

Summary

Crimiological paradigms, including the classical deterrent approach, the positivistic approach, the interactional approach, the critical approach and the integrated approach....

Description

Summaries: Criminological Paradigms 1. The Classical Deterrent Approach -

18th Century, Jeremy Bentham & Cesare Beccaria

-

Believes that each individual has free will (we each make our own choices/decisions)

-

Because we are rational, we can decide how we want to behave, so we can therefore choose to commit a crime or not

-

This school of thought focuses on crime itself, not necessarily the criminal (i.e. focuses on preventing crimes, not necessarily punishment)

-

5 Key principles: a. Rationality b. Hedonism: People seek pleasure and try to avoid pain (i.e. people are aware of punishments, and can weigh up the pros/cons of committing a crime) c. Punishment: acts as deterrent to crime d. Human rights: protected during sentencing / punishment e. Utilitarianism: 'For the greater good', i.e. whether an action or behavior is wrong or right depends on its effect on wider society

2. The Positivistic Approach •

•

Cesare Lombroso: •

Rejected the classical school of thought

•

Saw crime as a characteristic of human nature (i.e. criminality is inherited)

Definition: The assumption that powers beyond our control determines behavior, therefore influences person to commit crime

•

Positivists look for outside factors that influences the committing of crime, for example biological/genetic predisposition, environmental factors such poverty, unemployment, etc.

•

3 Key Factors: •

Certainty: Punishment must follow crime

•

Swiftness: Punishment must be given as soon as possible, so that it doesn't lose meaning 1

•

Severity: Punishment must be harsh enough to deter the individual from future criminal behavior

3. The Interactional Approach •

This approach focuses on actions and reactions to other individuals/groups, i.e. views society as a product of everyday social interactions between individuals

•

States that no action is inherently deviant, it only becomes deviant when the reaction of others/the State labels it as deviant

•

People commit crimes due to societal pressures, e.g. success, poverty, unemployment, etc.

•

This paradigm provides an explanation of why people are labelled as criminals

•

Interactionists do not assume lawbreakers are different from law-abiding people; suggest that most people commit deviant and/or criminal acts, but only some are apprehend and stigmatized for it

4. The Critical Approach •

Karl Marx

•

The definition of crime is controlled by wealth, power, social position, i.e. the law benefits those in power

•

Paradigm claims that society is in a constant state of conflict (upper class vs. lower class) due to competition for resources

•

States that people commit crime because of socio-economic issues (poverty, unemployment, inequality, etc.)

•

In South Africa: Powerful/wealthy individuals tend to be treated differently by the criminal justice system when compared to poor/marginalized people

5. The Integrated Approach •

Also known as eclectic approach

•

Based on the view that the best explanation for crime can be given when a

2

combination of theoretical approaches are used, i.e. using only one approach when explaining the complexity of crime is insufficient •

The best elements of different theories/approaches are used in the development of an integrated theory, can thus be seen as an ‘umbrella approach’

•

Looks at both internal & external explanations for crime

•

Members of society mostly agrees on what is seen as deviant behaviour/criminal acts

3...