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Positivist School of Thought in Criminology: Key Concepts

October 13, 2023 by JoyAnswer.org, Category : Criminology

What is positivist school of thought in criminology? Explore the key concepts and the scientific approach of the positivist school of thought in criminology, which emphasizes empirical and biological explanations.


Positivist School of Thought in Criminology: Key Concepts

What is positivist school of thought in criminology?

The Positivist School of Thought in criminology is a perspective that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to the Classical School of Criminology. It focuses on a more scientific and empirical approach to understanding the causes of crime and criminal behavior. Key concepts and ideas associated with the Positivist School of Thought in criminology include:

  1. Determinism: Positivism emphasizes the idea of determinism, which means that human behavior, including criminal behavior, is not entirely a result of free will and rational choice. Instead, it is influenced by factors beyond an individual's control, such as biological, psychological, and social forces.

  2. Scientific Method: Positivists advocate the use of the scientific method to study crime. This includes the collection and analysis of data to identify patterns and causal relationships. The goal is to apply the same rigorous methods used in the natural sciences to the study of human behavior.

  3. Biological Factors: Positivists believe that some individuals may be predisposed to criminal behavior due to biological factors, such as genetics, brain abnormalities, or physical characteristics. The study of physiological traits, like the shape of the skull (phrenology) or the study of genes, has been a focus of positivist criminology.

  4. Psychological Factors: The Positivist School considers psychological factors, such as personality disorders, mental illness, and abnormal psychological development, as potential contributors to criminal behavior. Psychiatric assessments and profiling are used to understand and predict criminal conduct.

  5. Social and Environmental Factors: Positivists also recognize the influence of social and environmental factors, such as poverty, family background, peer associations, and neighborhood conditions, on criminal behavior. These factors are seen as significant contributors to criminality.

  6. Prevention and Rehabilitation: The Positivist School emphasizes the importance of early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation for individuals at risk of criminal behavior. Rather than solely focusing on punishment, they advocate addressing the underlying causes of criminal conduct.

  7. Individualized Justice: Positivism supports the idea of individualized justice, where the criminal justice system considers the unique circumstances and factors contributing to an individual's criminal behavior when determining punishment and treatment.

  8. Data-Driven Policy: Positivist criminology advocates for evidence-based policies and interventions. Decisions regarding crime prevention and criminal justice should be based on empirical research and data analysis.

Prominent figures associated with the Positivist School of Criminology include Cesare Lombroso, who introduced the concept of the "born criminal" and examined physical traits in relation to criminality, and Emile Durkheim, who explored the role of social factors in crime.

It's important to note that the Positivist School is just one of several schools of thought in criminology, and there is ongoing debate and discussion regarding the relative importance of biological, psychological, and social factors in explaining criminal behavior. Contemporary criminology often combines elements of positivism with other perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of crime and its causes.

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Tags Positivist Criminology , Criminological Perspectives , Scientific Approach

People also ask

  • Who founded the positivist theory of Criminology?

    The Positivist School was founded by Cesare Lombroso and led by two others: Enrico Ferri and Raffaele Garofalo. In criminology, it has attempted to find scientific objectivity for the measurement and quantification of criminal behavior.
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