Recommended Additional Reading
Tim Newburn, Key Readings in Criminology, Chapters five, six and seven
Questions to think about:
Section A – Classicism and Positivism
1. What is positivism?
2. What is classicism?
3. What are the main differences between the two?
4. To what extent do you agree with the idea that criminal behaviour is ‘chosen’?
Section B – Biological positivism
1. What is biological positivism?
2. What does it share with the ideas propounded by Lombroso?
3. What is the relationship between biological positivism and more sociological approaches to understanding crime? Are the two compatible?
4. What is the danger in attributing criminality to biological characteristics?
5. What are the potential policy implications of biological positivism?
