Criminology its origins and schools

The historical course of criminology and schools of criminology. Especially the formative school, the psychoanalytic school and the sociological school.

Evaluation of the Ideas of the Modern Formative School

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Illustration representing modern criminology theories with justice and science

The modern formative school represents a pivotal evolution in criminology, bridging classical theories with contemporary understandings of crime and human behavior. Emerging as a response to the limitations of earlier criminological schools, the modern formative school integrates a multidisciplinary approach, blending elements from psychology, sociology, biology, and criminal policy. This article evaluates the core ideas … Read more

Modern Formation School in Criminology

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Modern Formation School in Criminology A Comprehensive Overview

The Modern Formation School in criminology represents a significant evolution in the study of criminal behavior. By emphasizing the interplay of biological, psychological, and sociological factors, this school of thought seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of crime and its underlying causes. Within this framework, two prominent theories stand out: the Criminal Formation Theory by … Read more

Lombroso’s Theory and Its Evaluation: A Historical Insight into the Classical Formation School of Criminology

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Lombroso's Theory and Its Evaluation: A Historical Insight into the Classical Formation School of Criminology

Introduction The Classical Formation School of criminology marks a significant turning point in understanding crime and criminal behavior. Among its most influential contributors was Cesare Lombroso, an Italian physician and criminologist whose theories profoundly shaped the early development of the field. Lombroso introduced the idea that criminality was biologically determined, challenging the classical view that … Read more

The Social School of Criminology: Theories, Key Contributors, and Applications

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A group of people discussing theories of social criminology in a classroom with a display board showing theoretical drawings and models.

Introduction to The Social School of Criminology The Social School of Criminology, which emerged as a significant theoretical framework in the study of crime, emphasizes the role of social factors in influencing criminal behavior. Unlike biological or psychological theories that focus on the individual, the Social School focuses on the environment and societal structures as … Read more

The Psychoanalytic School: Understanding Crime Through Psychology

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A split image illustrating the psychoanalytic perspective on crime; on one side, a therapy session with a psychologist and patient, and on the other, a dark criminal scene, symbolizing the connection between psychology and criminal behavior.

The Psychoanalytic School of criminology offers a profound exploration of criminal behavior through the principles of psychoanalysis. This school, inspired by the theories of Sigmund Freud and expanded upon by subsequent psychologists, examines the unconscious mind’s role in shaping human actions, including criminality. By focusing on internal conflicts, early childhood experiences, and psychological development, the … Read more

The Formative School: Foundations, Thinkers, and Modern Impact on Criminology

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Cesare Lombroso analyzing anthropological traits in his lab

The Formative School represents a pivotal framework in the history of criminology, offering foundational insights into understanding criminal behavior. Emerging during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this school emphasized the role of biological, psychological, and sociological factors in shaping criminal tendencies. Unlike classical theories that focused on free will and rational choice, the … Read more

Criminology Schools | Criminology and its Theories

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Schools of Criminology

Criminology, as a multidisciplinary field, has evolved through various theoretical schools that attempt to explain the causes and nature of criminal behavior. Among the most significant are the Formative School, the Psychoanalytic School, and the Social School. Each of these schools has contributed uniquely to understanding crime, its motivations, and possible prevention methods. This article … Read more

Cesare Beccaria: The Pioneer of Classical Criminology

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Portrait of Cesare Beccaria in a scholarly setting with books and manuscripts.

Cesare Beccaria (1738–1794) is widely recognized as one of the founding figures of classical criminology. His groundbreaking work, Dei delitti e delle pene (On Crimes and Punishments), published in 1764, profoundly influenced the development of modern legal systems and criminological thought. By advocating for rationality, proportionality, and fairness in the administration of justice, Beccaria sought … Read more

Cesare Lombroso: The Father of Modern Criminology

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Scientific contributions of Cesare Lombroso

Cesare Lombroso, often hailed as the “Father of Modern Criminology,” revolutionized the study of crime by introducing a scientific approach to understanding criminal behavior. Prior to Lombroso, criminology was largely influenced by moralistic and philosophical perspectives, with little emphasis on empirical evidence. Lombroso’s groundbreaking theories, particularly his concept of the “born criminal,” laid the foundation … Read more

Contributions of Lombroso, Enrico Ferri, and Garofalo to Criminology

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Contributions of Lombroso, Ferri, and Garofalo to Criminology

Introduction Criminology, as a scientific discipline, has undergone significant evolution since its inception. The 19th century witnessed a paradigm shift from philosophical and theological explanations of crime to empirical and scientific approaches. At the forefront of this transformation were three Italian scholars: Cesare Lombroso, Enrico Ferri, and Raffaele Garofalo. Together, they laid the foundations of … Read more

The Positivist School and the Anthropological Interpretatio

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A historical depiction of Cesare Lombroso studying a skull in a 19th-century laboratory, surrounded by books, anatomical models, and criminal sketches, symbolizing the Positivist School's scientific and anthropological approach to criminology.

Introduction The emergence of the Positivist School marked a revolutionary phase in criminology, steering the discipline towards a more scientific approach to understanding criminal behavior. By focusing on empirical evidence, the Positivist School challenged earlier philosophical and moralistic interpretations of crime, offering a framework rooted in observable and measurable phenomena. Central to this movement was … Read more

Early Scientific Interpretations Before the Positivist School : History of criminology

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A historical depiction of a 19th-century scholar analyzing facial features and skull shapes in a classic library setting, symbolizing early scientific studies on criminal behavior before the positivist school.

The study of crime and criminal behavior has long intrigued philosophers, theologians, and early scientists. Before the emergence of the positivist school in the 19th century, interpretations of criminal behavior were shaped by religious doctrines, philosophical inquiries, and nascent scientific approaches. These interpretations laid the groundwork for the evolution of criminology as a distinct field. … Read more