Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Deterrence theory explains crime as the result of rational decision-making, where individuals weigh the expected costs of punishment against the potential benefits of offending. The central aim of deterrence is to prevent crime by increasing the perceived risks associated with criminal behavior. Key Points Deterrence Theory Main Proponents: Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Franz von Liszt,
Rational Choice Theory explains crime as the result of deliberate, goal-oriented decision-making. Offenders weigh expected benefits against anticipated costs and choose to commit crime when it appears to maximize their personal utility. Key Points Rational Choice Theory Main Proponents: Gary S. Becker, Derek Cornish, Ronald Clarke First Formulations: 1960s–1980s Country of Origin: United States, United
Classical criminology explains crime as the result of rational decision-making by free and responsible individuals. The Classical School of Criminology emphasizes deterrence, proportional punishment, and equality before the law as the foundation of modern criminal justice systems. Key Points Classical Criminology Main Proponents: Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, John Howard, Samuel Romilly, John Anselm von Feuerbach,
The General Theory of Crime, developed by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi in 1990, is one of the most influential modern control theories. It offers a parsimonious, universal explanation of criminal behavior by focusing on individual self-control. Rather than asking why people commit crimes, Gottfredson and Hirschi ask why they don’t—arguing that crime is the
The Control Balance Theory, developed by Charles R. Tittle in the 1990s, is an ambitious attempt to create a general theory of deviance that explains both the likelihood and the type of deviant behavior. Unlike many other control theories that focus only on external social constraints, Tittle’s model emphasizes the dynamic relationship between the control
Travis Hirschi’s Social Bonds Theory (1969) is one of the most influential control theories in criminology. Rather than asking why people commit crime, Hirschi asks why they conform to rules at all. He argues that human beings have a natural tendency toward deviance, and that conformity results from effective social control rooted in strong social