Welcome to Week 6!
Overview
This week we are looking into biological explanations for criminal behavior. We will look into the positivist theory. In essence, the positivist approach to understanding crime begins with the application of the scientific method, discovery and diagnosis of pathology, and appropriate treatment. We will continue with a discussion of the key biological theories, including important names associated with early theories, as well as relevant terms associated with the perspective. A critique of early biological positivism follows as more recent theories are identified.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the week, you will be able to:
- Describe how positivists seek to uncover the basic causes of crime.
- Identify several early biological theories and the issues related to these theories.
- Identify the key assumptions, propositions, and weaknesses of Lombroso’s theory of atavism and the born criminal.
- Discuss the development of more recent biological theories.
- Identify the connection between biological and psychological theories and crime policy.
Workflow
Readings:
*Chapter 3 in The Handbook of the History and Philosophy of Criminology, edited by Ruth Ann Triplett, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bmcc/reader.action?docID=5144712&ppg=78
download the chapter here.
The_Handbook_of_the_History_and_Philosophy_of_Crim…_-_Part_I_Key_Ideas_Thinkers_and_Moments-3* Chapter 8 in Barak, Gregg. Criminology: An Integrated Approach, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bmcc/reader.action?docID=1343839&ppg=245
download the chapter here.
Criminology_An_Integrated_Approach_-_II_-_STRANDS_OF_CRIMINOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_EXPLAINING_CRIMINAL_BEHAVIOR_AN…-1
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