Classical and Neoclasical Theories and Criminology - Book Report/Review Example

ical and neo ical thought of contemporary has affected how people look and treat criminals. According to thetheories, criminal activities are influenced by their thoughts and environment. Therefore, they agitate for harsh punishment in order to deter other people from following the same route. One central view of classical criminology that applies to contemporary criminology is that crime is a rational choice that is based on the impulse. This is because criminals have the ability to choose what is right and wrong.

This theory does not advocate for social responsibility. On the contrary, it advocates that a person should be given a tough punishment in order to deter others from committing crime. For instance, when a person steals something small, the punishment should be huge in order for the people to learn a lesson and not to make similar choices. Neo-classical criminology theory has a limit when trying manipulating the environment in order to decrease the opportunity for crime. When using this theory, the interventions should only affect only those who have been pinpointed to have potential to commit crime.

This is because trying to change the whole society might have devastating effects to those who had no plans to commit crime. On the other hand, in classical theory, while concentrating on the crime and the person who have committed it, it is very significant to limit the investigations on the person and the aspects that led to crime (Williams 13). In addition, it is important to ensure that the punishment does not force the person to commit another crime in revenge.Works CitedWilliams, Katherine S.

Textbook on Criminology. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2004. Print.