What is the positive school in criminology?

What is the positive school in criminology?

by samia sultana dipty(222-26-516) -
Number of replies: 2

Positive school of criminology is the school of criminology that is based on empirical research. It posits that crime can be explained in terms of environmental variables. There are four distinct aspects to this approach:


1) The positivists emphasized the role of non-social factors, e.g., poverty, unemployment, etc., as a cause for criminal activity. They have stressed the importance of both positivist assumptions and neoclassical economic theory.


2) They believe that criminal behaviour can be explained in terms of actual environmental variables rather than those speculated about by a Wittgensteinian approach. The growth of technology has played an important part in developing this perspective — observed data is more readily available now than ever. It is easier to collect and assess.

In reply to samia sultana dipty(222-26-516)

Re: What is the positive school in criminology?

by Farzana Ferdous -

as determinants of criminal behavior.

Some key features of the positive school in criminology include:

  1. Determinism: Positive criminologists believe that criminal behavior is determined by factors beyond an individual's control, such as biological, psychological, or sociological influences. They argue that individuals may be predisposed to criminal behavior due to factors like genetics, brain abnormalities, or early childhood experiences.

  2. Scientific Methods: Positive criminology emphasizes the use of scientific methods, including empirical research and data analysis, to study and understand criminal behavior. This approach involves the collection of data through observation, experimentation, and other systematic methods to identify patterns and correlations.

  3. Focus on the Offender: Unlike the classical school, which focused on the offense and punishment, the positive school places greater emphasis on the study of the offender. Researchers within the positive school seek to identify and understand the factors that contribute to criminal behavior with the goal of prevention and rehabilitation.

  4. Individualized Treatment: Positive criminologists often advocate for individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs based on the specific needs and characteristics of the offender. They argue that addressing the root causes of criminal behavior is essential for effective intervention.

  5. Early Positivism: Early positivist criminologists, such as Cesare Lombroso, suggested that certain physical characteristics or anomalies could be indicative of a predisposition to criminal behavior. Lombroso, for example, proposed the idea of the "born criminal" and believed that some individuals were born with physical traits associated with criminality.

It's important to note that the positive school is just one of several perspectives within criminology, and contemporary criminological theories often incorporate elements from multiple schools of thought. While the positive school has contributed valuable insights, it has also faced criticism, particularly regarding ethical considerations related to determinism and labeling individuals as inherently predisposed to criminal behavior based on certain characteristics.