Criminology Theory
Criminology is an important part of law and sociology. This science studies the crime, the behavior of criminals, causes, and conditions of crime and possible methods of crime prevention. There is no separate explanation of crime origins, so a lot of scientists presented their criminology theories. According to Akers (2000), the most common criminology theories are deterrence or rational choice theory, biological or biosocial theory, numerous psychological theories, social learning theory, social bonding and control theory, labeling and reintegrative shaming theory, social disorganization theory, anomie and strain theories, conflict theory, different radical and critical theories and many others. So, in my own words, the criminological theory is a concept that provides answers why the crime is made, what forced criminals to conduct their illegal activities, and how society could limit or minimize such deviant activity.
According to Whitehead and Lab (2006), the first approaches to explain crime are biological and psychological approaches. The psychological approach is based on cognitive and social psychological models. The individuality is the main unit of analyses in such theory. Our personality drives the human behavior. Whole society generates the principles of normality. Crimes are a result of abnormal, dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental processes. The biological approach is quite different and is based on idea that crimes are a result of different flaws in the biological makeup of the individuals. The reasons for such issues could be heredity, different dysfunctions or brain abnormalities. Such theories are still actual today because there is no consensus about criminal behavior origins.
Cesare Lombroso is a famous Italian criminologist and physician. He is a founder of Positivist Criminology and his role in the development of overall criminology is huge. Nowadays his theories are quite outdated, but in the 19th century, they were rather innovated. According to his criminology theory, most of the criminals are already born deviant. So, Cesare Lombroso identified some physical qualities and characteristics that could lead to further criminal activity. He conducted over 3000 anthropometric measurements and found that unusual size or shape of the head, too long arms, strange eyes, dark skin, facial asymmetry, flat chin, extended jaw and jaw bone, nose curled up, too big or too small ears, wrinkled skin, and abnormal teeth are the main physical traits of criminals. So, if the person has five or more traits above, he will become criminal.
The Positivist school of criminology states that criminal and deviant behavior is caused by different internal and external factors that persons cannot control. According to Heidt and Wheeldon (2014), the whole Positivist school is divided into biological, psychological and social positivism. The biological positivism found that physical characteristics, the level of intelligence and other medical factors play a role in human behavior. Some innate qualities, hormone level, could cause deviant behavior. The psychological part of positivism claims that ego, memory, perception and cognition can force a human to conduct deviant acts. And finally, social positivism affirm that society is responsible for deviant behavior. Society is a huge mechanism …
