Criminology: Schools of Thought

In order for anyone to get a degree in Criminology, itto this calling.  Lombroso believed that a criminal is
is important that they pass a series of tests thatborn with the particular defect, and that a man or
have been standardized and mandated by thewoman that possessed the chemical and biological
specific college which the student attends or in whichmakeup of a criminal will have no choice but to
the student partakes.  In order to ensure that mensuccumb to that lifestyle.  Supporters believe that
and women struggling to receive a criminologythis is the nature of the criminal, and no amount of
degree know the important basics of criminology andnurturing can change the outcome.  Initially, crime
the relationship between crime and the public, it iswas expected, by individuals such as Cohen and
important for the students to learn the same basicFelson, to be a choice.  These people believe that
elements of the field.  For example, there are threecriminals could choose to make a different decision
widely held beliefs that define different causes ofbut due to indifference or lack of knowledge, these
crime and the criminal.  These are known as theindividuals do not want to choose morality over the
schools of thought for Criminology.  The lesson planinstant gratification that is rewarded by crime. 
at any college would then likely, if not undoubtedly,These different theories would test and be
include an exploration of these different schools ofattributed to the different criminologists, all done
thought in order to examine how people viewed thewhile students are engaged in a criminology class, and
field over time.  It is also important to note thepreparing for the life that awaits them after
differences that take place over time.  Many peoplegraduation.
may not know it, but more schools of thoughtA look at the criminal mind and the rational mind
opened up after it was revealed that there might bewould also likely help individuals to establish their own
some kind of link between an individual and theirpersonal beliefs about criminology and the reactions
chemical or genetic makeup.  Even hormones haveof society and deviance.  It is important to allow
been speculated to make a difference in this field.  individuals to examine these things individually in order
By looking at the different schools of thought, anto encourage students taking part in a lesson plan for
individual can understand how time and scientificthe material to be able to form their own opinion,
advances lead to a more individual understanding ofwithout it being the suggestion of someone else.  In
how crime is produced.  Many theories also arose inthis way, it can be suggested that bias does not
order to try to help explain what affected anaffect the lives of the individuals that are studying
individual and enticed them to commit a crime,criminology, or influence the way in which they think
including how society in general may have contributedabout or relate to crime.