Week 7 Assignment 1 - Journal: Schools Of Criminology And Yo

Week 7 Assignment 1 - Journal: Schools of Criminology and Your Career

After reviewing the information on criminology and the four schools of criminology, discuss and give an example of how each will influence your selected criminal justice career.

Paper For Above instruction

Criminology, as an academic discipline, offers various perspectives and theories that shape understanding and approaches within the criminal justice system. The four primary schools of criminology—the Classical School, Positivist School, Chicago School, and Critical School—each provide unique insights that can influence a career in criminal justice in distinct ways. This paper explores how each school of criminology can impact and inform the practices and philosophies of a future criminal justice professional.

The Classical School of Criminology

The Classical School, emerging in the 18th century, emphasizes free will, rationality, and the importance of deterrence in preventing crime. It holds that individuals commit crimes after weighing the potential benefits against the risks and consequences. As a criminal justice professional influenced by this school, I would prioritize policies and practices that promote fair trials, proportional sentencing, and deterrence strategies. For example, in my career, I might advocate for clear, consistent sentencing guidelines to ensure that punishment serves as an effective deterrent while respecting individual rights. This school’s focus on rational choice and deterrence would shape my approach to criminal justice by emphasizing crime prevention through the perceived severity and certainty of punishment.

The Positivist School of Criminology

The Positivist School focuses on understanding the underlying causes of criminal behavior, such as biological, psychological, and social factors. It advocates for rehabilitative and treatment-oriented approaches rather than purely punitive measures. In my career, influenced by this school, I would emphasize the need for scientific analysis and assessment of offenders to develop tailored intervention programs. For instance, I might support psychological evaluations and social services aimed at addressing specific root causes of criminal activity. This perspective promotes a more humanistic and individualized approach to justice, encouraging efforts to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism through evidence-based practices.

The Chicago School of Criminology

The Chicago School centers on environmental and social factors in understanding crime, emphasizing the influence of community, neighborhood conditions, and social structures. This perspective suggests that crime is often a result of social disorganization and economic deprivation. In my criminal justice career, I would prioritize community-based interventions and initiatives that improve living conditions, education, and economic opportunities in at-risk neighborhoods. For example, I might collaborate with social agencies to develop neighborhood revitalization programs that reduce crime by addressing social disorganization, thus adopting a proactive, preventative approach grounded in environmental analysis.

The Critical School of Criminology

The Critical School critiques traditional power structures and emphasizes issues of social inequality, race, and class in understanding crime and the justice system. It advocates for social justice reform and challenges systemic biases that disproportionately affect marginalized groups. As a future criminal justice professional influenced by this perspective, I would work to identify and challenge injustices within the system, promote equitable treatment, and advocate for policy changes that address societal inequalities. For instance, I might focus on reducing racial disparities in sentencing or promoting restorative justice initiatives that seek to repair harm and address systemic issues rather than solely punish offenders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each school of criminology contributes valuable insights that can shape various aspects of a criminal justice career. The Classical School supports fair deterrence policies; the Positivist School encourages individualized rehabilitation; the Chicago School emphasizes environmental prevention; and the Critical School advocates for social justice and systemic reform. A well-rounded criminal justice professional integrates these perspectives to develop effective, equitable, and comprehensive approaches to crime prevention and correction. Understanding how each school influences the field enables future practitioners to adopt a balanced and informed approach to justice that considers both individual and societal factors.

References

• Beirne, P., & Messerschmidt, J. (2000). Theoretical frameworks in criminal justice. Routledge.
• Cullen, F. T., & Agnew, R. (2018). Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation, and application. Oxford University Press.
• Cragg, T. (2021). Theories in criminology. Sage Publications.
• Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press.
• Hagan, J. (2017). The criminology of social control. Routledge.
• Schwarz, R. (2010). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies. Education Publishing.
• Siegel, L. J. (2018). Criminology: The core. Cengage Learning.
• Winfree, L. T., & Blythe, M. (2018). Criminological theory: Context and consequences. Routledge.
• Walmsley, R. (2016). World prison population list. International Centre for Prison Studies.
• Young, J. (2011). The exclusive society: Social exclusion, crime and difference in late modernity. Sage Publications.