These notes cover two key criminological schools of thought: the Classical School and the Positivist School, focusing on their views of social order, human nature, and criminal motivation.

The Classical School (led by Beccaria) views humans as rational, self-interested, and capable of free will. Crime occurs when the rewards outweigh the risks of punishment. Punishment should be swift, certain, and severe to deter crime, with laws reflecting a social consensus of right and wrong.
The Positivist School argues that criminal behavior is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, and individuals have limited control over their actions. This school focuses on scientific, measurable explanations of crime, with theories like biological positivism (Lombroso), psychological positivism (Freud), and sociological positivism (Durkheim’s anomie theory).

The notes also discuss deterrence theory (Classical) and strain/anomie theory (Positivist), which explore how social structures and environmental factors influence criminal behavior. The content is useful for criminology students and those interested in understanding the different perspectives on crime and punishment.

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Positivist vs. Classical Schools of Criminology

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