Theories of Crime

2. TOPIC: THEORIES OF
CRIME
PRESENTED BY- FADIYA KELOTH,
VOLUNTEER- AFRS

3. INTRODUCTION
THEORIES OF CRIMES OR SCHOOLS OF CRIMINOLOGY
PRE-CLASSICAL SCHOOL
CLASSICAL SCHOOL
NEO-CLASSICAL SCHOOL
TYPOLOGICAL SCHOOL
GEOGRAPHICAL SCHOOL
SOCIOLOGICAL SCHOOL
SOCIALISTIC SCHOOL
CLINICAL SCHOOL
REFERENCES
CONTENT

4. CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY
CRIME
''An act committed or omitted in violation of public law forbidding or
commanding it'' - Sir William Blackstone.
CRIMINOLOGY
''Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals'' - Webster

5. Pre-classical
Neo-classical
Classical
Typological
Socialistic
Clinical
Sociological
Geographical
THEORIES OF CRIME

6. PRE-CLASSICAL
SCHOOL
Also called Demonological theory
emphasis that crime was the result of man acting under the influence
of evil spirits
The criminal was regarded as a deprave person deserving severe
punishment
The views of St. Thomas Acquinas were of greater influence at that
time

7. Also known as Free Will Theory
states that man is possessed of free will and acts on the basis of
pleasure and pain
focused on deterring crimes by swift administration of justice
Proposed that the punishment should be such that it overweighs the
pleasure derived from the offence
Beccaria, Bentham and Romilly are the associated pioneers.
CLASSICAL
SCHOOL

8. This school differentiated criminals on the basis of their age and
intelligence
focused on the causation of crime
According to this school, the punishment should be such that it
overweighs the pleasure derived from the offence, but it must be
lenient if there are extenuating circumstances
Rossy, Gerrand, Jolly are scholars associated with this school
NEO-CLASSICAL
SCHOOL

9. 1. Positivist school
Organic Deficiency Theory/ Positivism- C. Lombroso identified three
types of criminals- bone criminals having atavism, insane criminals
and criminaloid
2. Mental Deficiency Theory
mentally retarded persons easily become criminals
3. Psycho-Analytical Theory
S. Freud predicted that human beings have a constant internal
conflict between id, ego and superego, due to the weakness of ego,
personality problems arise resulting in unapproved behavior
TYPOLOGICAL SCHOOL

10. Also called topographical or cartographical school
According to this theory, climate and topography effect human
behavior
Frederick Thrasher, Clifford R. Shaw, Breackinridge and Abbott are
the pioneers associated with this theory
GEOGRAPHICAL SCHOOL

11. 1.Differential Association Theory
According to Sutherland, criminal behavior is learnt not inherited
2.Anomie Theory
As defined by Durkheim and Merton, the Anomie is responsible for
deviant behavior in society
3.Labelling Theory
According to Becker, deviance and crime are the creations of social
groups because they label certain behavior as deviant or criminal
4.Conflict Theory
states that deviant behavior is caused by an unjust social structure
where unequal distribution of wealth and power exists.
5.Social Disorganization Theory
•believes that deviant behavior as caused by the breakdown of
norms, laws, mores, and other important values of society.
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

12. This theory points out that economic factors are related to crime
The deviation from the defined path of norms or values result in
criminalistic activities
Unemployment and poverty are causes of crimes against property
and violence
The ideas of Karl Marx, W. A. Bonger influenced this theory
SOCIALIST SCHOOL
may be I
should steal!

13. According to this school, crime is caused by variety of factors
emphasizes that criminals who are victims of social conditions should
be treated by correctional methods
there need to be individualization for punishment
Multiple Causation Theory
cause of crime cannot be attributed to any particular factor
Enrico Ferri classified the factors of crime as anthropological, physical
and social
CLINICAL SCHOOL

14. Criminology, Victimology and Penology- Dr. S.S. Srivastava
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/law/legal_concepts/criminology/sc
hools-of-criminology/8133/
https://www.lawnn.com/schools-criminology/
https://www.abyssinialaw.com/study-on-line/item/445-early-
explanations-of-criminology-schools-of-thought
REFERENCE
S