Criminal Justice Theories and Criminological Ideologies

For many years, people have studied the patterns and lives of serial killers in the effort to establish how theyre created. In the 1980s, the mythology of serial killers became to be known to the public through the F.B.I. and the media (Lecture, 9/8/2005). As a society, we often wonder if the idea behind serial killers is just a myth, or if in fact reality. The purpose of this argument is to analyze the serial killer myth in America and explain it through four imperative criminological theories. Through our class lectures, we have learned that, serial killers have set a particular image that is a myth. And also, serial killers are outside strangers and we need to do everything within our power to stay away from them (Lecture,†¦show more content†¦The remaining two thirds, are those who we as a society, wouldnt think twice about as being a serial killer. Lombroso labels them as, criminaloids or minor offenders, who do not show such a marked degree of diversity from normal persons (CA, 24). Lombroso strongly felt that criminals were anything but normal and lived in their own state of mind. As a result of Lombrosos theory of criminality, it has helped lay the foundation for what is known as the ‘positive school of criminology (CA, 18). Through the positive school of criminology, we have learned crime is not the result of free-will; it is ultimately due to underlying factors that the individual has absolutely no control over. If we were to analyze our breadth of knowledge and lead to believe that yes in fact the whole perception of serial killers is in fact a myth, essentially there are not any biological traits associated with a serial killer, and in no way can someone be born a criminal we would be interested in shifting our attention to that of Cesare Beccarias classical theory of crime. Its central thesis is that crime occurs when the benefits outweigh the cost and crime is a free-willed choice (CA, 5). This theory is highly contrasted and thought to be the exact opposite of that of Cesare LombrososShow MoreRelatedEssay on Control theory, Anomie theory and Strain theory 1444 Words   |  6 Pages Control theory, Anomie theory and Strain theory provide very different explanations of why people commit crimes based upon assumptions about how humans function. Control theory suggests that humans are naturally drawn to breaking the law. Humans are driven to fulfill their needs and desires. Crime provides o ne method by which humans can reach their goals. Control theorists would thus ask why everyone does not turn to crime to meet their wants and needs. The question shifts from the typical why doRead MoreFeatures Of Classical Criminology779 Words   |  4 Pagesstudy of criminals and the crimes that they commit. 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