Which statement best characterizes the Classical School of Criminology?

Which statement best characterizes the Classical School of Criminology?

• A. Free will and hedonism to explain criminal conduct; punishment should fit the crime.
• B. Emphasis on environmental and societal factors shaping behavior.
• C. Deterministic view of crime based on biology.
• D. Focus on rehabilitation through social programs.

Answer: (A)

The Classical School treats crime as a rational choice made by individuals who exercise free will. People are motivated by hedonistic aims—seeking pleasure and avoiding pain—and they weigh the potential benefits against the costs before deciding to commit a crime. Because the theory centers on deterrence, punishment should be proportionate to the offense and applied with enough certainty and swiftness to deter others. This makes the statement that highlights free will and hedonism as motivations and calls for proportional punishment the best fit. Other options point to environmental or societal influences, biological determinism, or rehabilitation-focused approaches, which are not the focus of classical thinking.

The Classical School treats crime as a rational choice made by individuals who exercise free will. People are motivated by hedonistic aims—seeking pleasure and avoiding pain—and they weigh the potential benefits against the costs before deciding to commit a crime. Because the theory centers on deterrence, punishment should be proportionate to the offense and applied with enough certainty and swiftness to deter others. This makes the statement that highlights free will and hedonism as motivations and calls for proportional punishment the best fit. Other options point to environmental or societal influences, biological determinism, or rehabilitation-focused approaches, which are not the focus of classical thinking.