ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that knowledge of the major criminology theories. It explores the key differences between predominantly biologically based theories of crime and predominantly environmentally based theories of crime, and the impact on respective recommendations for criminal justice policies. The chapter analyzes the effects of science, politics, and culture on criminology theories. Classical school criminologist Jeremy Bentham was a pioneer of efforts to rehabilitate criminals so they could successfully re-enter society. Although considered and a bit bizarre, Bentham's panopticon is one of the earliest attempts to emphasis rehabilitation over retribution. Positivists asserted that crime should be studied scientifically and that criminal actions cannot be limited to legal definitions, which are subject to the whims of societal sensibilities. Criminology in the 20th century saw the promulgation of a significant number of theories, reflective of seismic cultural, political, and scientific developments that were alternatively unifying and divisive.
