- Outline the main tenets of classical criminological theory
“the study of the processes of making laws, breaking laws, and reacting towards the breaking of laws” (Sutherland & Cressey, 1974, p. 3)
Theory and methodology are essential components of criminological theory.
Hedonistic calculus: the weighing of pleasure versus pain
Assuming that people have free will to make decisions
- What role does rational choice play in criminal behavior for classical theorists?
Rational choice leads people into justifying criminal behavior. For instance during the inquisition when people were tortured by members of the church who believed they were doing the right thing.
- Why is the concept of deterrence so importance to classical theory?
The concept is important because it caused people to turn to using punishment so that people didn”t enjoy crime.
“Prevent crime instead of punish it”
- Outline the importance of certainty, severity, and speed to the deterring effects of punishment.
The deterrent effects of punishment were the cornerstone of the criminal justice system. Certainty: important because it tells someone that they will 100% get punished if they commit a crime.
Severity: punishments have to be severe so that people actually don’t commit the crime must outweigh pleasure
Speed: it is important that the punishment happens quickly because thats more incentive not to commit the crime, making sure things are still relevant
Tipping point of punishment
- How rational is choice?
We sometimes don’t have the information we need to make the right decision.
- Does deterrence work?
Deterrence works to an extent.
