The classical criminological theory was born during the Enlightenment Age. It highlights individuals having free will and choosing to make rational choices regarding criminal behavior. The theory assumes that individuals commit crimes based on possible benefits outweighing risks from their behavior (Tibbetts, pg. 5). 1600s English Philosopher, Thomas Hobbs, made the following assumptions about human nature. He said humans tend to act in logical way, but have a fundamental nature of self-interest. Hobbs’ theory states people can be influenced to commit crime. He used this to try and predict and reduce certain types of crime. 1700s political philosopher and criminologist, Cesare Beccaria, was one of the greatest theorists during the Enlightenment. Beccaria contributed the classical theory by …show more content…
Replace with their own goals and ways to achieve them (socialists and early communists). One weakness of Merton’s strain theory is it doesn’t explain why individuals that are similarly affected by strain do not always adapt similarly. Finally, take a stand and tell me which of the theories you think provides the best overall framework for explaining patterns in crime (make sure to explain why). I agree with Merton’s strain theory because it has the best overall framework of explaining patterns in modern day crime. The strain theory puts an emphases on people having the inability to achieve economic and class based goals. I believe most people turn to crime to acquire culturally accepted goals. For example, a person who sells illegal drugs on the street has rejected the socially acceptable means of making a living. The drug dealer still shares the broadly accepted goal of making money. By selling drugs they accept the goal of making a living, but reject the socially acceptable means by breaking the law. Furthermore, the drug dealer can accept social values but use criminal means of accomplishing