Scholarly Activity: Positivism Theory

Positivism Theory

Unit 2 Scholarly Activity

Columbia Southern University

Positivism Theory

Early positivists used date from the fields of biology, anthropology to identify physical abnormalities that criminologists thought could be used to distinguish criminal offenders from other people (Pearson, 2016). It rejects free will and replaces it with scientific determinism. It also rejects focus on criminal law and replaces it with a study of the individual. Positivist criminology has three main elements: 1. it seeks for the causes of the crime whether it is biological, psychological, or sociological. 2. The use of the scientific method to test theories against observations of the world. 3. The rejection of punishment as a response to law-violating or deviant behavior, replaced with treatment based on the medical (rehabilitation) model (Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., & Laufer, W., 2004). I do think this theory is acceptable reason for some types of crime for certain people. There are many books and websites that substantiate this theory, one of them is called a general theory of crime.

Criminal Anthropology

Criminal Anthropology is the scientific study of the relationship that transpire between bodily features and criminology (Pearson, 2016). Essentially it was said that criminality was inherited and criminals could be identified by physical traits. For example a thief can be identified by their wandering eyes and manual dexterity. Habitual murders had bloodshot eyes, and glassy stares. But it was said that women were far more ruthless than men. Women that committed crimes of passion had lower jaws and more wicked. I do not think that this theory is acceptable as a reason for crime. How someone looks it not a reason for them to be devious. Just because their eyes are red or their ears are pointy does mean are doing crimes. That like saying that if I own a multi-million dollar company just because my jaw is low I did a crime to get to where I am at or along the way. I just don’t think people are born criminals. The research of Cesare Lombroso can be found in an article called, “The ‘born criminal’? Lombroso and the origins of modern criminology.”

Twin Studies and Heredity

This theory focuses on genetics and heredity combines with processes of natural selection, that includes sexual selection can produce biologically based differences in behavior (Pearson, 2016). This is stating that if a twin is adopted separately or together, and if them raised in separate environments would make them display different behavioral characteristics. If twins are separated and they get adopted into two different families the environment that they are in can have effect on their behavior, personality, and attitudes. If a twin grew up in a bad neighborhood and resented its birth parents for putting them the situation. The twin tend to lean more toward doing crime. I think this theory has some positives and negatives. I do not think all twins that are adopted and one goes to an environment that isn’t the best automatically look for crime as an outlet because of his anger toward his parents, but on the other had it does happen. It is less likely for the twin that grew up in a wealthy family to rebel because he might feel like maybe his parents made the right choice because they were going to a good home. There are some pros and cons to the theory but mostly cons. There is research by Avi G. Haimowitz titled Heredity Versus Environment: Twin, Adoption, and Family Studies.

Sociobiology Theory

This perspective was developed by Edward O. Wilson and uses the evolutionary theory then applies it to social behavior and states that most social behaviors are shaped by natural selection (Pearson, 2016). This is based on the idea that behaviors have evolved over time as physical traits were said to have evolved (Crossman, 2018). Altruism is a concept which is the belief or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others. Which is saying that the person does not have any concern for other. Tribalism is being organized in a tribe or tribes. So maybe the person committing the crime is in a gang and is loyal to that group of people. So if the members in the gang say they should do something then it is right, and even if it involves doing something that is crime they will do it. I believe this theory is true because there have been plenty intendances where little kid that were in gangs went to jail for murder, because of the people in their group said it should happen or it was cool. People will do a lot just to be accepted. Ashley Crossman wrote a good piece on it called “Overview of Sociobiology Theory.

References

Schmalleger, F. (2016) Criminology 3rd Edition. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson.

Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. W., & Laufer, W. (2004). Criminology and the criminal justice system (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieve from Biological Theories of Crime. criminal-justice.iresearchnet.com/criminology/theories/biological-theories-of-crime/19/

Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://psycnet.apa.org/record/1990-97753-000

The ‘born criminal’? Lombroso and the origins of modern criminology. (2015). Retrieved from www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/the-born-criminal-lombroso-and-the-origins-of-modern-criminology/

Haimowitz, A.G. (Nov 2005). Heredity Versus Enviroment: Twin, Adoption, and Family Studies. Retrieved from www.personalityresearch.org/papers/haimowitz.html

Crossman, Ashley. “Overview of Sociobiology Theory.” ThoughtCo, Jan. 11, 2018, Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sociobiology-3026631