Criminology

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Criminology
Professor
Name
Institution

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Hypothetical for Module 3: Classical School (250 words)
Using a classical theoretical perspective, how might you explain why the offender
committed this crime
According to classical theoretical perspective, Mr. Chaplin committed these crimes out of free
will and rational choice. This theory mainly did not seek to explain why people committed crimes
but was a strategy of administering justice according to rational principles. Given that Mr. chaplain
is a rational being, he possess free will and can make choice on what he chooses to do. This theory is
based on the assertion that a human being knows how to distinguish right from wrong and are
entitled to make their own choices (Hagan, 2010). Mr chaplain did not commit these crimes under
duress but he did so willingly. Mr. chaplain might have committed these crimes to gain money,
excitement or something else he values. According classical theory, factors like poverty may
override reasoning.
Do you think that the sentence imposed is appropriate? What alternative, if any, would you
propose?
The sentence imposed to some extent is appropriate considering other factors involved in
sentencing but deterrence should be the main aim. The punishment should always fit the crime.
Judges should avoid discretion and further focus on the act not the person. The law must be followed
to the latter. Some people commit crimes in order to gain worldly pleasures, therefore the pleasure-
pain principle should be applied to outweigh objective pleasure as this would discourage some
people from committing similar crimes (Roth 2010).
The alternative that I would propose in this particular case is; Mr. Chaplin should be given a more
deterring sentence considering the grievousness of the crimes he has committed. Many people suffer
especially the youths who would have bright futures but waste their lives doing drugs; therefore Mr.
Chaplin should serve at least a maximum of 5 years imprisonment taking into account the two

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crimes.
Hypothetical for Module 4: Positivist School (250 words)
Using a positivist perspective, how might you explain why the offender committed this
crime?
According to the positivist perspective, Mr. chaplain could have committed the crime because he
did not possess free will and was motivated by factors he had no control over. He could have
probably engaged in all these crimes because he could not choose between what is right and wrong
owing to the reason that he was motivated by external factors that he had no control over (Heidt and
Wheeldon 2014). . Therefore, this theory emphasizes on the importance of understanding why one
committed a crime rather than only focussing on the punishment. This theory attributes various
factors such as the environment as causes of committing crime.
Ulster County Jail, Dugdale in 1895 found 6 members of the same ‘Juke’ family: Of twenty nine
male ‘immediate blood’ relations fifteen had been convicted of crimes. He claimed that environment
tends to produce criminal habits which to some extent may become hereditary (Kelly 2015). Just
like in Mr. Chaplin’s situation, he was brought up while undergoing child abuse and his childhood
experience was not one of the best considering what he went through. All these experience could
explain why he ended up in crime given the nature of his past experience.
Do you think that the sentence imposed is appropriate? What alternative, if any, would you
propose?
Yes the sentence imposed is appropriate. Considering factors such as environment that can
influence the reasons as to why one commits crime, the sentence by the honourable judge was
appropriate. The judge took into account various factors of the offender’s past life before making
final decision.
The other alternative I would propose is cleaning of various places under watch of probation

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officers so that others can also learn.
Hypothetical for Module 5: Sociological School (250 words)
Using a sociological (strain theory) perspective, how might you explain why the offender
committed this crime?
According to sociological (strain theory), Mr. Chaplin is likely to have committed the crime
because of social inequality in the society (Rhoads 2010). The theory attributes social inequality as a
key factor in causes of deviancy. Given the history of Mr. Chaplin it can be drawn that he did not
have a stable life and even his current life still reflects that, so for him to fit in the society
comfortably he opts for crime so that he can also reach the level of life that the rich have. Strain
theory expounds that people are led to believe that the ability they possess will enable them gain
access to education and thereby guaranteeing them educational success (Hashiguchi and Yamakawa
2012). However, when opportunities are limited and criteria are usually based on other factors such
as gender, ethnicity inter alia, others feel locked out. This feeling makes them angered and they feel
cheated and instead they resort to vices to show their frustrations in the society of a failed promise
given to them. This could ‘explain Mr. Chaplin’s reasons of committing crime. Crime is a creation
of free market economics, the advancement of material success above all else and its cultural
inclination towards anomie.
Do you think that the sentence imposed is appropriate? What alternative, if any, would you
propose?
To some extent the sentence is appropriate but is should be more deterring so that others can be
discouraged from committing similar crimes.Social learning theory proposes that people can also

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learn from watching another person being rewarded or punished (observational learning).
The other alternative I would propose is basic punishment that entails deterrence elements in it.

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Hypothetical for Module 7: Subcultural and Social learning Theories (250 words)
Using a subcultural or social learning perspective, how might you explain why the offender
committed this crime?
According to social learning perspective, Mr. Chaplin might have committed the crime due the
interactions he has had with others in the society, the values he has learned from them, techniques
and motives for criminal behaviour (Akers and Jensen 2011). All these factors are likely to have
influenced the offender’s life given the history the honourable judge outlined in court. Causes of
crime are attributed to culture; it is the way of life, from the beliefs to how the people of a particular
culture conduct themselves.
According to subculture perspective, Mr. Chaplin is likely to have committed the crimes due to
his interactions with cultural groups within larger culture, usually having interests and beliefs at
variance with the larger culture. The social interaction within the sub-cultural groups influences who
a person becomes, it can influence them both positively and negatively.
Do you think that the sentence imposed is appropriate? What alternative, if any, would you
propose?
The sentence imposed was not appropriate under the circumstances of the case. In light of what is
currently happening in our societies, the rate of crime as gone up and adults should act as role
models and should not be the ones leading such crimes (Akers 2011). The gravity of this crime
warrants heavier punishment considering that the court failed to take some factors into account. The
state should consider creating rules that aim at discouraging subcultures within societies so as to
reduce the rate at which people are influenced in joining crimes.
The alternative that I would propose for this case is; the offender should serve a jail term as
contained in the law without considering other factors so that youths can be discouraged from
committing such crimes at any stage of their lives.

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References
Akers, R. (2011). Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and
Deviance. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
Akers, L., and Jensen, G. (2011). Social Learning Theory and the Explanation of Crime.
Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
Hagan, F. (2010). Introduction to Criminology: Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior.
Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Hashiguchi, K., and Yamakawa, Y. (2012). Introduction to Finite Strain Theory for
Continuum Elasto-Plasticity. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Heidt, J., and Wheeldon, J.(2014). Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and
Understanding. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Kelly, W. (2015). Criminal Justice at the Crossroads: Transforming Crime and Punishment.
New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Rhoads, J. (2010). Critical Issues in Social Theory. University Park, PA: Penn State Press.
Roth, M. (2010). Crime and Punishment: A History of the Criminal Justice System. Boston,
MA: Cengage Learning.

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