biological determinism

Born Criminals: Exploring the Origins, Science, and Controversy Behind Criminal Behavior

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Illustration of Cesare Lombroso, the founder of the born criminals theory, presenting his early criminological ideas.

Introduction The term “born criminals” refers to individuals who are presumed to possess innate tendencies toward criminal behavior, attributed to biological or hereditary factors. This idea has generated intense debate in criminological thought, with its roots stretching back to the 19th century. Often associated with the Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso, the theory of born criminals … Read more

The Formative School: The Classical Formative School and the Modern Formative School

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Cesare Lombroso presenting his theory of born criminals

The Formative School represents a pivotal paradigm in criminology, emphasizing the exploration of criminal behavior through biological, psychological, and sociological lenses. Emerging as a response to classical theories, this school of thought bridges scientific rigor with practical applications. By examining the origins and evolution of criminal tendencies, the Formative School has significantly contributed to understanding, … 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 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