Criminology

Lore & Background

Criminology directs its inquiries along three lines: investigating the nature of criminal law and its administration, analyzing the causation of crime and the personality of criminals, and studying the control of crime and rehabilitation of offenders. The Classical school arose in the mid-18th century, reflecting utilitarian philosophy, with Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham proposing that punishment should deter crime, be public and minimal, and be based on actual harms rather than intent. The Positivist school argued that criminal behavior stems from internal and external factors beyond individual control, with biological, psychological, and social positivism segments.

Reader's Guide

Criminology's significance lies in its interdisciplinary approach to understanding crime and justice, integrating insights from sociology, psychology, political science, law, and public health. Its legacy includes the development of multiple theoretical schools—Classical, Positivist, and Chicago—which shaped modern penal and legal systems. The field's institutionalization in the United States, particularly through the growth of criminal justice programs and graduate education, has made it a popular and financially attractive academic discipline. By the end of the 1990s, there were over 100 master's-level programs and at least 25 Ph.D. programs in criminology and criminal justice. Its ongoing debates—whether to remain embedded within sociology or pursue disciplinary independence—reflect its dynamic evolution.

Did You Know?

• Cesare Lombroso, often called 'the father of criminology', suggested physiological traits like cheekbone measurements could indicate atavistic criminal tendencies.
• By the end of the 1990s, there were more than 100 master's-level programs and at least 25 Ph.D. programs in criminology and criminal justice in the United States.