You have been exposed to a brief historical account of early theories in criminology. What do you consider to be the beginnings of criminology and who is or are the parent(s) of criminology: Beccaria, Quetelet and Guerry, or Lombroso?
1. Some feel that modern sociobiology is a far cry from the primitive early biological positivism. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your answer.
2. What theories do you feel were influenced by the forerunners of modern criminological thought?
3. What are the basic elements of the positivist approach? How does this differ from classical theory?
4. Positivism, particularly early biological positivism, has been described as a “frightening slice of American criminology.” G. K. Chesterton described early criminology as a pseudoscience. Explain why there has been such a strong reaction to biological positivism by such critics. What do you think about these criticisms?
5. What is the nature versus nurture controversy, and how are twin and adoption studies designed to address this issue? What has been resolved by research?
6. What is the claimed relationship between intelligence and crime according to Hirschi and Hindelang? What are some criticisms of this claimed relationship?
7. What are some characteristics of a psychopath?
8. How has the guilty but mentally ill standard affected the insanity defense?