Answer Any Two Questions: Fully Discuss The Positivist Schoo

Answer Any Two Questions1 Fully Discuss The Positivist School Of Cr

Answer any two questions: 1. Fully discuss the positivist school of criminology. Include the following points: the importance Lombroso as the 'father' of the school; the assumptions about society, crime, and punishment (especially the emphases on determinism and treatment/rehabilitation). 2. It is often argued that Lombroso approach (phrenology/atavism) to the study of crime is technically not a theory, but more accurately described as a set of race and gender stereotypes that cannot be tested. Give your own opinion of this controversy: do you think Lombroso was sexist and racist? Is there anything in this theory that is worth continued study? 3. Discuss the significance of Frances Alice Kellor’s research on women criminals.

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The positivist school of criminology represents a significant shift in understanding crime, emphasizing scientific methods, empirical evidence, and the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on criminal behavior. Its emergence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a departure from classical criminology's focus on free will and rational choice. Central to this school is Cesare Lombroso, widely regarded as the 'father' of positivist criminology, whose work laid the foundation for biological theories of crime.

Lombroso's theories posited that criminal behavior could be explained through biological determinism, suggesting that some individuals are inherently predisposed to criminality due to their physical features or inherited traits. He believed that some criminals were 'born criminals,' possessing specific physiological markers, which he attempted to identify through his studies of skulls, facial features, and other physical attributes. Lombroso's emphasis on atavism—traits reminiscent of earlier evolutionary forms—was central to his approach, proposing that criminals were biologically akin to primitive humans or 'throwbacks.'

This perspective marked a significant departure from earlier moral or theological explanations of crime, injecting a scientific veneer into criminology. Lombroso's approach, however, has been subject to considerable criticism. Critics argue that his reliance on physical and racial stereotypes perpetuated biases, including racist and sexist assumptions. The theory suggested that certain races or genders were more predisposed to criminality, thus reinforcing prejudice and discrimination. Despite this, Lombroso's work underscored the importance of scientific inquiry into crime, influencing subsequent research in criminology, psychology, and biology.

Critics have argued that Lombroso's approach is more an assemblage of pseudoscientific stereotypes than a robust, testable theory. His reliance on phrenology and atavism reflected contemporary biases, and many of his conclusions have been discredited. His approach has been accused of perpetuating racial and gender stereotypes that served social biases under the guise of scientific legitimacy. For example, Lombroso believed women were inherently less criminal than men, often attributing female criminality to mental or emotional deficiencies, which today is recognized as sexist and unjustified.

In evaluating whether Lombroso was sexist and racist, the consensus among scholars is that his theories reflected the prejudices of his era. His classification of certain races as more prone to criminal behavior, and his stereotypical views of women as biologically destined for submission or incapacity, align with racist and sexist stereotypes. While his contributions to scientific criminology were pioneering, his prejudiced assumptions taint his legacy, highlighting the importance of scrutinizing scientific theories for inherent biases. Nonetheless, some aspects of his work—such as the focus on biological and psychological factors—have continued relevance in modern criminological research, especially with advancements in genetics and neuroscience better understanding individual variability.

Beyond Lombroso's controversial theories, the contributions of Frances Alice Kellor are noteworthy. Kellor's research on women criminals expanded the understanding of gender differences in criminality and the social factors influencing women's behavior. Her studies highlighted the social and economic conditions that contributed to women's involvement in crime, emphasizing the importance of social reform and rehabilitation over punishment alone. Kellor's work helped shift criminological focus towards understanding systemic inequality and the need for gender-sensitive approaches in justice systems.

In conclusion, the positivist school of criminology, spearheaded by Lombroso, introduced a scientific approach that emphasized biological and psychological determinants of crime. Although Lombroso's specific theories are now discredited and recognized as biased stereotypes, his pioneering efforts contributed to the development of criminology as a scientific discipline. Modern research continues to explore complex interplay between biology, environment, and social factors, informed by but also critically evaluating early theories. Kellor’s contributions further underscored the importance of understanding gender-specific factors and social contexts in crime, fostering more humane and reform-oriented criminal justice practices.

References

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• Goring, C. (1913). The Criminality of Women. Archiv für Kriminologie, 13(4), 376-389.
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