Psychological Positivism in Criminology: Definition, Causes, and Application

Running head: THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY
Theoretical Criminology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY
 Introduction
The intention of the report is to emphasize the concept of Psychological Positivism. It
discusses the definition and causes of the crimes that are dealt under this theory. Further, it
talks about how this theory seeks to combat the crime. Thereafter, the report highlights the
application process of this theory and how the present Australian criminal justice system is
influenced. The theory of Psychological Positivism focuses on its significance as well as the
criticisms. Finally, it can be concluded stating that all the above-mentioned points will be
summed up to conclude the summary of this report.
 Explanation of theory
 Positivism Psychological theory is related to the concept of criminology. It is the
approach that underpines the present scientific endeavour and has for a long time
as it have been used for investigating the nature of the human behavior. Therefore,
it is solely based on the idea of scientific understanding of criminality and crime.
This particular theory thereafter discuses the major classes of criminals including
the insane criminals, born criminals and criminalist. It is therefore essential to
identify that there are many different kinds of explanations that is based on this
theory (Maul, Irribarra and Wilson 2016). While dealing with the crimes of
psychological theories, one should be intelligent enough to deal with it.
 Criminology is defined as the study of punishment and crime. There exists basic
aspects of psychological theories of crime which state that crime is an outcome of
failures during the development of psychological factors. It further discusses
about the learned behaviors of violence, aggression and their traits of personality.
It highlights the relationship of criminality to the mental illness of the criminals.
The Positivist theory views the basic idea of the situation that the criminals are
born as such and not made into criminals later. The criminal intent is based on the

2THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY
nature and behavior of the pupils. Individuals are judged based on the activities
they are involved with. This theory views those persons on how the mental
processes has an impact on the propensities for violence. There are formulation of
positivism that overviews the causes of these crimes. These formulations are the
basic reasons for judging and viewing the criminals.
 As per the theory of Positivism Psychology, it has been stated that crime is a
major complex phenomenon that modifies it all across the cultures and time. The
illegal activities that take place in the country by those individuals are taken care
when this theory is applied on them (Greene 2017). The theory of Positivism
Psychology is a traditional research that seeks to determine the objective reasons
of the behavior of the individuals. After identifying the causes of the crimes, the
mental health of the offenders are checked and thereafter, a decision is taken on
them. The offenders are tested by applying the psychological theories. Hence,
once they are applied to the criminals, the change will be observed thereafter. It
has been observed that culture has changed over the years and the behavior of the
individuals have made it evident that they are inclined to be a criminal. Thus, once
the psychological tests are done and the crimes are identified, the criminals will be
provided treatment. By this way, the crimes taking place in the society can be
combated. Reducing or decreasing the crimes are important and can be done only
if this theory is applied accordingly.
 Application of legal positivism in the present context
 The theory of Psychological Positivism from a criminological perspective submits
that the reasons behind crimes being committed by people are internal psychological
factors which are beyond their control. It has been established that law is a means of