Chapter 2, The Classical School

Posted: March 20th, 2024

Chapter 2, The Classical School, focuses on the study of crime and criminals, with some study of lawmaking included. Chapter 3, focuses on criminal behavior instead of on legal issues such as rights, and the prevention of crime through the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders.

Based on the assigned reading, complete the following discussion question:

Discussion Questions:

How relevant do you think the ideas of the Classical School are to the criminal justice system today? What classical ideas could be developed and implemented today that we are not currently using?
How have the developments of science and the influence of scientific thinking changed the way we view crime and criminals?
Directions:

Original responses are to be at least 250 words in length, in Times New Roman, 12-point font, American Psychological Association (APA) format, which includes in-text and endnote citations as needed.
Supplemental responses are to be at least 100 words in length, in Times New Roman, 12-point font, APA. format.
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Students can include the following types of information in the reply posts: 1) agreements or disagreements to the person’s observations or 2) additional insights/connections not mentioned in the other student’s submission.
Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post. Criminological Theory D1
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The classical school of criminology is a theory that emphasizes the role of free will in criminal behavior. It argues that people commit crimes because they choose to do so, and that they can be deterred from crime by the threat of punishment. The classical school is based on the following assumptions:

People are rational beings who make decisions based on their own self-interest.
People are motivated by the desire to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
The threat of punishment can deter people from committing crimes.

The classical school has had a significant impact on the development of the criminal justice system. It is the basis for the principle of “just deserts,” which holds that criminals should be punished in proportion to the severity of their crimes. The classical school also influenced the development of the concept of due process, which guarantees that criminals have certain rights, such as the right to a fair trial.

The classical school is still relevant to the criminal justice system today. The threat of punishment is still a powerful deterrent to crime, and the principles of due process are essential to a fair and just system. However, the classical school is not without its critics. Some argue that it ignores the role of factors such as poverty, inequality, and mental illness in crime. Others argue that it is too simplistic and does not take into account the complex motivations of criminals.

Despite its critics, the classical school remains an important foundation of the criminal justice system. It provides a framework for understanding crime and for developing effective crime prevention strategies.

Here are some classical ideas that could be developed and implemented today that we are not currently using:

Rehabilitation: The classical school emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation in preventing crime. This means providing criminals with the resources and support they need to turn their lives around. This could include things like education, job training, and mental health treatment.
Restorative justice: Restorative justice is a philosophy of justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime. This means bringing together the victim, the offender, and the community to discuss the crime and its impact. The goal is to reach a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved.
Community policing: Community policing is a strategy of law enforcement that emphasizes building relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. This can help to prevent crime by increasing trust and cooperation between the police and the public.

The developments of science and the influence of scientific thinking have changed the way we view crime and criminals in a number of ways. First, science has helped us to better understand the causes of crime. We now know that crime is not caused by a single factor, but rather by a complex interaction of factors, including poverty, inequality, mental illness, and exposure to violence.

Second, science has helped us to develop more effective methods of preventing crime. For example, we now know that early intervention programs can help to prevent crime by providing at-risk children with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Third, science has helped us to develop more effective methods of rehabilitating criminals. For example, we now know that cognitive-behavioral therapy can be an effective treatment for some types of criminal behavior.

The developments of science and the influence of scientific thinking have had a profound impact on the way we view crime and criminals. They have helped us to better understand the causes of crime, develop more effective methods of preventing crime, and develop more effective methods of rehabilitating criminals.

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