How the Classical Theory Pertains to Crime Prevention

How the Classical Theory Pertains to Crime Prevention The classical school of criminology is a group of thinkers of crime and punishment in the 18th century. The most prominent members, such as Cesare Beccaria, shared the idea that criminal behavior could be understood and controlled. The classical theory insisted that individuals are rational beings who pursue their own interests, trying to maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain. The following manuscript will cover three key concepts the origins of classical thought, popular forerunner of classical thought, Cesare Beccaria, and how the classical theory pertains to crime prevention. Lastly, the educational material will show that crime is caused by natural forces and the absence of effective punishment allows it to continue. With clearly defined laws, public punishment, and the elimination of judicial discretion crime can be prevented by deterrence. Crimes and Punishment: How the Classical Theory Pertains to Crime Prevention Criminology has six theoretical developments in its discipline. This essay will look into the classical school theory. The classical school of criminology has many parts such as the major principles of the classical school, forerunners of classical thought, and policy implications of the classical school. First, I will define classical theory as well as summarize the origins of classical thought. Next, I will explore one of the most popular forerunners of classical thought, Cesare Beccaria. Lastly, I will discuss how the classical theory pertains to crime prevention as well as how deterrence plays apart. Literature Review To properly compose a manuscript on how the classical theory pertains to crime prevention, classical theorist Beccarias work had to be examined. Many of the reforms that occurred in the 18th century can be ascribed to Beccaria (Newman Marongiu, 1990). Beccaria (1983), discussed that the more promptly the punishment follows the crime the more useful it will be. Martin, Mutchnick, and Austin (1990), states that the classical and neoclassical thought represents more a philosophy of justice than it does a theory of crime causation. Cohen and Felson (1979), suggested that lifestyles contribute significantly to both the volume and the type of crime found in any society. Thus, Reed and Yeager (1996), examined Gottfredson and Hirshis theory of crime, with particular respect to its applicability to organizational offending. Moriarty and Williams (1996), discussed the individual choice and a relative disregard for the role of social factors in crime causation, such as poverty, poor home environment, and inadequate socialization. Rational choice theory seems to assume that everyone is equally capable of making a rational decision; however, it depends on the personality of the individual (Tunnell, 1990). In dealing with punishment and how it deters crime it was necessary to look at studies. Although one might expect study results to show that the death penalty deters crime; however, it was found that the rates of murder committed between states that have eliminated the death penalty and those that retain it had little variation (Bailey, 1979). Sitze (2009), discusses how capital punishment presents a problem for the philosophy of law. Also, Sitze expands on Beccaria thought of how the death penalty is bad economy of power. Discussion Classical Theory The classical theory dominated crime theory during the late 1700s and the 1800s. The essential ideas of classical theory include individuals are rational beings who pursue their own interest, trying to maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain. Unless they are deterred by the threat of swift, certain, and appropriately severe punishments, they may commit crimes in their pursuit of self-interest (Martinetal, 1990). Classical theory argues that crime is caused by natural forces or forces of this world, such as the absence of effective punishments. Classical theory was developed in reaction to the harsh, corrupt, and often arbitrary nature of the legal system in the 1700s (Vold et al., 2002). Classical theorists were mainly interested in critiquing this system and offering proposals for its reform, but embedded in their arguments is a theory of criminal behavior. The circumstances of some individuals, then, may lead them to evaluate the potential pains of punishment and pleasures of crime differently than other individuals. Poor people, for example, may be less deterred by the pains of punishment and more attracted by the pleasures of crime (Beccaria, 1983). Classical theory assumes that people are rational and engage in crime to minimize their pain and maximize their pleasure. Some criminologists, however, argue that many offenders are not rational and that crime is not in their self-interest. Rather, they engage in crime because of forces beyond their control and they often suffer greatly because of their behavior (Vold et al., 2002). Classical theorists state that whether people engage in crime is largely dependent on the swiftness, certainty, and appropriateness of the punishments they face. Cesare Beccaria Cesare Beccaria was an 18th century Italian nobleman and economist. Beccaria was considered to most the father of Criminology. Because of Beccarias work he was the most important figure head of what is known as the Classical Theory. The 18th century was times in history were severe and often extreme punishment was enforced for crimes committed. During such a time in history Beccaria offered the theory of utility. Beccaria examined the causes of delinquent and criminal behavior, and by doing so was able to scientifically determine what causes such deviant behavior. Beccaria rejected the theories of the European Enlightenment which characterized the deviant behavior under the theories of naturalism and even demonology. Beccaria wanted to pass on the philosophy of the Age of Enlightenment, by doing so these new theories passed on rationalism and humanitarianism (Martin et al., 1990). Beccaria set out to make punishment for committing crimes rational. He believed that there should be a hierarchy of punishment a scale determining what punishments is suitable for the behavior and/or intent. The scale of punishment would have set punishments for repeat offenders as well as for the more serious crimes. This would change how the death penalty was imposed. The scale of punishment, Beccaria was working on, would only impose the death penalty depending on the severity of the crime and not the act or acts of committing or involvement. Beccaria also believed that judges had to broad of discretion on which punishment to impose on what act of deviant behavior. Therefore, Beccaria favored specific punishments fitting each crime. He published an historic piece, An Essay on Crimes and Punishment, in 1764, to communicate his observations on the laws and justice system of his time. In the Essay, Beccaria distilled the notion of the social contract into the idea that laws are the c onditions under which independent and isolated men united to form a society. (Beccaria, 1983) Crime Preventions and Deterrence Deterrence theory most fully reflects the ideas of classical theory. Deterrence theorists argue that people are rational and pursue their own interests, attempting to maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain. They choose to engage in crime if they believe it is to their advantage. The best way to prevent crime, therefore, is through punishments that are swift, certain, and appropriately severe. Deterrence theorists, like classical theorists, focus primarily on the impact of official punishments on crime. Deterrence occurs when someone refrains from committing a crime because he or she fears the certainty, swiftness, and/or severity of formal legal punishment (Paternoster Bachman, 2001). Deterrence theory makes a distinction between two types of deterrence; specific and general. Specific deterrence refers to the idea that punishment reduces the crime of those specific people who are punished. So, punishing someone for a crime should reduce the likelihood of further crime by that person. Studies on general deterrence ask whether punishment deters crime among people in the general population. It has been argued that punishment may deter crime among those who are not punished. Therefore, deterrence through punishment is an effective way to prevent crime (Paternoster Piquero, 1995). Conclusion Throughout the essay classical theory, Cesare Beccaria, and deterrence has been explored in relation with one another. The manuscript disclosed that individuals are rational beings who pursue their own interests, trying to maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain. Classical theorist Cesare Beccaria determined that if the justice system reformed such as using rational penalties for crimes committed then such behavior could be deterred. The deterrence theory proved that people do refrain from committing crimes because of the fear of punishment. Therefore, the deterrence theory most fully reflects the ideas of classical theory.

Analytical Essay – Lochie Leonard

Awkwardness, rudeness and moodiness are stereotypes which are used to represent teenagers. In his novel â€Å"Locke Leonard the Human Torpedo', Tim Wanton explores the emotional development of teenagers. In the novel he represents teenagers as reckless. This is achieved through Locale's inappropriate actions, rude behavior and his bad language. The novel displays teenagers as reckless through their inappropriate behavior.In the chapter ‘Getting Serious' Locke and Vicki are alone in her house and they engage n sexual activities disregarding the possible consequences. This is also shown later on in the book in the chapter ‘Ocean Beach' where they again act without thinking. The two chapters give the reader a clear example that teenagers can be reckless due to their inappropriate behavior. At school Locke displays rude behavior towards his teachers.In the chapter ‘Everybody's Favorite Spread' Locke is in class studying his least favorite subject, Math, and is rude to his teacher by omitting to call him sir (pap-18). Also in the chapter ‘True Torpedoing' Locke is in his woodwork class and once again displays dude behavior and insolence to his teacher by suggesting that the teacher ‘does his block (pap-31). This insulting comment could enrage an already hostile teacher even more and is therefore reckless.In the first two weeks Locke has already acquired a bad reputation for himself. Locale's rude behavior is very risky. Teenagers are represented as reckless due to their use of inappropriate or bad language. Locke has been influenced to use bad language after reading a book about sexual development. In the chapter ‘Everyone's Favorite Spread' Locke is being bullied. Whilst being bullied he retaliates by calling them ‘a bunch of yellow vulvas! (pap), which might provoke them to attack him, rather than trying to calm them down, which would be more sensible. Locale's use of language clearly represents teens as reckless. In this novel Tim Wanton represents teenagers as reckless because of their inappropriate actions, rude behavior and bad language. He has focused on emotional development in adolescents. While this is only one aspect of the challenges faced by teens, the author has represented common stereotypes in characters and their actions to describe teenagers.

The Novel Dracula By Bram Stoker - 2614 Words

The book Dracula by Abraham Stoker is filled with many intriguing topics and themes such as sexuality and gender. These topics and the way they are addressed in the book were very controversial when published on May 26, 1897 and were seen as scandalous by its readers. Through this book, Bram Stoker made the idea of vampires become a relevant part of popular culture as it is today and allowed them to be interpreted as figures symbolizing sex and the transference of disease. During Stoker s era, women were looked down upon and were accused of being immoral for having sex outside of marriage and contracting any sexual diseases. These â€Å"women who lose their virtue(virginity) become ‘fallen women,’ outcasts doomed to death or secluded repentance†(Fry). Though these acts generally involve male participation, it is mainly the woman who must deal with the consequences, while the man is able to be free of judgement and continue his life. â€Å"The patriarchal tendenci es and views of the Victorian society further enforced male superiority and dominance over women†(Podonsky). This being said, the question is, how did some of this prejudice against women translate into the writing of Stoker s work Dracula and what did Stoker think of his society s description of an â€Å"ideal† woman? The answer to this question is that the thoughts held by the majority about women made their way into the book Dracula in a very satirical manner and the hopeful mind of Abraham Stoker refused to believe thatShow MoreRelatedThe Novel Dracula By Bram Stoker, Is A Horror Story That1558 Words   |  7 PagesThe novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, is a horror story that involves a group of male protagonists, Jonathan Harker, a solicitor, Dr. John Seward, an asylum doctor and Dr. Van Helsing, a scientist, who are out to kill The Count as they fear he may bring more tragedy to their homeland. Before all this chaos, it starts off with Jonathan going to Transylvania to help Dracula with some real estate business. On his journey and stay at the castle, he experiences strange and odd things. He soon finds out thatRead MoreIn the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker There are many characters but there is only one specific600 Words   |  3 PagesIn the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker There are many characters but there is only one specific character that stands out from the rest and that character is count Dracula, while the rest of the characters are good. Dracula is an evil person. Dracula kills for a living in order to survive but he is also the main point of the novel he is probably the most important character in the novel. But how can you tell Dracula is the most important character in the novel? Well, simply because Bram Stoker choseRead MoreDracula Movie Comparison Essay1444 Words   |  6 PagesDracula the novel or Bram Stoker’s Dracula movie? Dracula, the most famous vampire of all time, which readers were ï ¬ rst introduced to by Irish author Bram Stoker in 1897 with his novel Dracula, which tells the story of the mysterious person named Count Dracula (Stoker). The book is an outstanding masterpiece of work, which is why it has been a prototype for various movie releases over the decades. Whenever a film director decides to make a movie based on a novel the hope is that the characters concurRead MoreA Comparison Of Dracula And Dracula1429 Words   |  6 PagesDracula is the infamous vampire that readers were ï ¬ rst introduced to by Irish author Bram Stoker in 1897 when they read his novel Dracula (Stoker). The author conveys the story of Count Dracula, a mysterious being that is half man, half vampire that sucks blood from the neck of his victims to stay alive (Stoker). This novel is an outstanding masterpiece of work, which is why it has been a prototype for various movie releases over the decades, such as Nosfera tu, Horror of Dracula, Dracula A Love StoryRead MoreComparison Of Count Dracula In Bram Stokers Dracula And Dracula1449 Words   |  6 PagesDracula is the infamous vampire, that readers were ï ¬ rst introduced to by Irish author Bram Stoker in 1897 when they read his novel Dracula (Stoker). The author conveys the story of Count Dracula, a mysterious being that is half man, half vampire that sucks blood from the neck of his victims to stay alive (Stoker). This novel is an outstanding masterpiece of work, which is why it has been a prototype for various movie releases over the decades, such as Nosferatu, Horror of Dracula, Dracula A LoveRead MoreDracula, Gothic And Epistolary Novels Of Dracula And Bram Stokers Dracula1357 Words   |  6 PagesIn the late 1890s Bram Stoker takes historical information and old European folktales to create famous Gothic novels like Dracula; Before writing Dracula, he studied for eight years stories of vampires. The title of Stoker’s story has historical significance to Vlad Dracul the 3rd, a Wallachian ruler who impaled his victims on stakes. Bram Stoker also was influenced by his lifetime, before the publication of Dracula, Gothic and Epistolary novels were on the rise hence why Dracula is classified asRead More Draculas Love Story Essay examples1394 Words   |  6 PagesLove Story Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the title of Francis Ford Coppola’s film adaptation of the classic novel Dracula. Coppola signified that the film would stay with the original plot and theme from the novel by putting the author’s name in the title of the film. However, even though he claims that his film is patterned after the novel, Coppola still could not help but put his own twist on the novel by sensualizing the story and adding a love story between Dracula and Mina. By addingRead MoreAbraham Stoker and Theater1231 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham (Bram) Stoker began his life bedridden, weak, and helpless. Stoker, third of seven children, was born in Clontarf, a suburb of Dublin, on November 8, 1847 (Whitelaw 9). His parents were Abraham Stoker, from Dublin, and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley, who was raised in County Sligo (â€Å"Bram Stoker†). He spent most of his early childhood laying in bed, watching his brothers and sisters play outside throu gh a dusty old window. â€Å"As a child, he wondered if he would get sicker--if he would endRead MoreFilm Review : Dracula By Bram Stoker Essay1743 Words   |  7 PagesWhenever a novel is published there usually is a movie to follow, but one may wonder why they are so different. Some believe filmmakers change the comparison due to having to shortening the novel into movie. Trying to keep the film watchers engaged, there are many ways to change a novel into a completely different story, whether it has to do with changing the roles of the main characters, scenes, theme, time period, or even the overall story. After reading the gothic novel Dracula written by Bram StokerRead MoreEssay about Bram Stoker1449 Words   |  6 PagesBram Stoker Bram Stoker unleashed his horrific creation on an unsuspecting world over one hundred years ago. One could hardly imagine that his creature of the night would delight and inhabit the nightmares of every generation between his and ours. Count Dracula has become an icon of evil, and is perhaps the most widely recognized bogeyman in all of world literature. To date, there have been over one hundred films made about Dracula or other assorted vampires, not to mention countless novels

The Kingdom Movie, Beauty And The Beast - 1758 Words

There Is a Right Time and a Right Way to Do Things A few weeks before summer ended, a movie called Descendants, a new film by Disney, would be coming out soon. The story centers around the exiled children of defeated villains who are invited by the son of King Beast and Queen Belle, from the movie Beauty and The Beast, to attend a prep school with the children of Disney heroes. However, the main reason that these four teens’ parents allow them to go is because of their secret intentions. They are supposed to steal a cherished, magic wand that could either lead to the salvation or the destruction of the kingdom. Soon after discovering that their classmates and the citizens of the kingdom are not as bad as they were led to believe by†¦show more content†¦Both Robert Louis Stevenson and Bram Stoker convey the same idea--even the wicked know when to do what is right--by their similar use in expressing that mental illness doesn’t get in the way of their characters, Renfield’s and Mr.Jekyll’s, humanity. For example, Stoker shows this in the confrontation between Renfield and Dracula when he says, â€Å"it made me mad to know that he had been taking the life out of her...so when he came to-night I was ready for him. I saw the mist stealing in and I grabbed it tight...I held tight; and I thought I was going to win, for I didn’t mean him to take any more of her blood† (269). When Renfield sees the condition Mina is in, after having inviting Dracula into the asylum for the first time, he discovers Dracula’s secret intentions of harming her. He then plans on locking him out of the asylum by using what he mentions as his â€Å"madman power†, which is unnatural strength madmen have. The author portrays Renfield as a wicked man who only cares about his own well-being; however, defies this characteristic by caring about Mina’s safety and trying his best to protect her. Like Renfield, Stevenson’s D r.Jekyll also struggles with a mental illness, and he chooses to deal with this by avoiding his hidden desires, which, for once, causes him to stop thinking about himself but of those around him and how they would be impacted by his illness. This is shown when Dr. Jekyll says, I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming