SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO

CRIMINOLOGY-CRIM 11
MODULE 3 : THE THEORIES OF
CRIME CAUSATION

INSTRUCTOR: BACACAO,
JACKSON B. RCrim
TOPIC:
a.Demonological theory
b.Classical theory
c.Neo-classical theory
d.Ecological theory
e.Economic theory
f. Positive theory
g.Developmental theory

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 OBJECTIVES:
AT THE END OF THE LESSON THE STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Differentiate the different theories of Crime Causation .

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Known as supernatural explanations of criminality.
It dominated thinking from early history well into TOPIC 1:
the 18th century this theory was predominant at a DEMONOLOGICAL
time when explanations of reality through THEORY
theological approaches. The criminal was viewed
as a sinner who was possessed by demons or
dumped otherworldly forces.

In this theory, human kind was viewed as at the

mercy of supernatural. Violators, actions,
accordingly, are determined by forces beyond his
control. And so, trial ordeal was instituted in which
the accused was exposed to the dangerous test and,
if the person survived, he/she had been protected
by God and therefore shall be declared innocent.
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 TOPIC 2- CLASSICAL THEORY
Classical: pain-pleasure decisions
The classical view in criminology explains crime as a free-will decision to
make a criminal choice. This choice is made by applying the pain-pleasure
principle: people act in ways that maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
Classicists believe that people are hedonistic and will seek pleasure at every
opportunity and avoid pain. The way to prevent crime, according to
classicism, is by deterrence-the risk of apprehension and punishment.

Applying classicism to criminal conduct, when the potential pain associated

with crime (the likelihood of apprehension) is greater in the mind of the
offender than the pleasure (gain) to be derived from the crime, the crime is
prevented. This explanation fails to explain why crime persists even in those
countries where governments add new laws, increase penalties, and make
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efforts to improve law enforcement.
PRESENTATION TITLE 5
 TAKE NOTE:

RESEARCH ABOUT CESARE BECCARIA

AND JEREMY BENTHAM, AND THEIR
WORKS

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 TOPIC 3: NEO-CLASSICAL THEORY
This theory modified the doctrine of freewill will by stating that
freewill of men maybe affected by other factors and crimes are
committed due to some compelling reasons. These cause are
pathology, incompetence, insanity, or any conditions that will
make it impossible for the individual to exercise free will entirely.

Minority is a factor which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for

children to exercise freewill entirely. As explained in one study,
“children have limited experiences and their capacities for
judgement are still evolving.
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 TOPIC 4: ECOLOGICAL THEORY
The ecological theory of crime, also known as social
disorganisation of crime is a theory used to describe the difference
in crime in association with physical environmental factors such as
cultural and structural factors. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the term
‘environmental criminology’ was used until it became associated
with environmental issues. This theory can also be defined as a
positivist theory because it seeks to find out about human
behaviour. For the ecological theory the causes of crime for
example are found in the way of the physical environment, where
people live and socially interact. This is what creates the conditions
for criminal and non-criminal behaviour.
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 TAKE NOTE:

RESEARCH ABOUT LAMBERT ADOLPHE

JACQUES QUETELET, AND HIS WORKS

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 TOPIC 5:ECONOMIC THEORY
Human behavior is shaped by
interpersonal conflict and that
those who maintain social power
will use it to further their own
needs.
20XX PRESENTATION TITLE 10
 TAKE NOTE:

RESEARCH ABOUT KARL MARX AND

WILLEM BONGER, AND THEIR WORKS

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 TOPIC 6: POSITIVIST THEORY
The positivist school of criminology emerged in the 19th century as a contrasting idea to
the classical theory of crime. The classical school of criminology posited that individuals
commit crimes because of their selfish desires and that crime is a product of free will.
Positivism in criminology, on the other hand, links crime to external or internal
influences placed upon individuals and attributes the reason people commit crimes to
these factors.
This school of thought creates a relationship between criminal behavior and the
psychological or sociological traits of the offender. For example, the positivist theory
will link a crime to the lack of parental care rather than the calculated decision of the
offender.

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 TOPIC 7: DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
Developmental criminology is a theory that seeks to
discover if criminal behavior can be a product of
physiological development or the environment. The
theory states that criminal behavior changes over
time, based on the individual and influences.

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 REFERENCES:
 LEYALEY, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY WISEMAN’S BOOK TRADING, INC. 2021
 CASTILLO AND GUERRERO, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY WISEMAN’S BOOK
TRADING, INC. 2021
 https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/organized-crime/module-6/key-issues/classical-pain-
pleasure-decisions.html
 https://www.bartleby.com/essay/What-Is-Ecological-Theory-Of-Crime-And-F3W2SCY
ECP9LX#:~:text=The%20ecological%20theory%20of%20crime,as%20cultural%20and
%20structural%20factors
.
 https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/psychology/what-is-positivism-in-criminol
ogy/
 https://study.com/learn/lesson/theories-crime-origin-examples-
criminology.html#:~:text=Developmental%20criminology%20is%20a%20theory,on
%20the%20individual%20and%20influences.

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 Thank you for listening God bless


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 ACTIVITY
DEBATE:
In a group of two they will discussed
whether punishment is essential in
changing the prisoners attitude or not.

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