What is the positivist criminologist’s “mission”?

What is the positivist criminologist’s “mission”?

Respond back with one original response to the discussion question shown below, as well as, respond to at least two other student’s responses to this same discussion question. All responses should be of substance, i.e. utilizing the appropriate terminology and concepts you are learning in the course.  There is no length requirement but it is assumed that you completely answer/discuss the question that is asked.

Discussion Question:  What is the positivist criminologist’s “mission”? What is the social constructionist’s“mission”? How do they overlap?

Scoring: The grade for this module’s discussion question will be determined as follows:

• Validity of content: Did student completely answer/discuss the question that was asked, is content correct and did the student effectively respond to two other student’s posts?
• Spelling and Grammar of content: Has the document been spelled checked and free of errors?

Due date: This module’s discussion question is due by 11:59pm on the due date.

Submission instructions : Submit your responses to the discussion question by selecting the particular question thread you wish to reply to and using the “Add a thread” option of Blackboard (so you will be posting a new thread within that particular question forum).  Respond to two other students threads effectively with respect to the same question.

Respond to student one (Breanna)

Positive theory says that criminals are born not made, which is an example of nature not nurture and they focus on biological and psychological factors to explain criminal behavior. Positivists base human behavior to deviance on determinism, objectivism and empiricism. Their mission is to learn about the causes of deviant behavior. Social constructionist theory is the knowledge according to which human development is socially structured and knowledge is constructed through interaction with others. This theory centers on the notion that meanings are developed in coordination with others rather than separately with each individual. Positivism and Constructionism overlap because both theories seek to give a theory or understanding as to why a person may become known as deviant.

Respond to student 2 (Samantha)

Positivist criminology focuses on how they believe criminals are born, not made. They focus on determinism, objectivism, and empiricism; they use these concepts and the scientific method to evaluate behavior/deviance. Social constructionists believe behavior is socially developed and influenced by the humans interaction with others/relationships with others. They overlap because both concepts are focusing on trying to better understand human behavior and what causes deviance.