The anatomical method brings to light abnormalities and malformations of the external structure of the organism which in some cases are of significance with respect to criminal conduct. It reveals defects and derangements of the internal organs which frequently have a far reaching influence for evil upon conduct. It describes the structure of the nervous system, a knowledge of which is absolutely necessary for the study of mental traits.
The physiological method studies the organic processes in the viscera and elsewhere in the body, and brings to light functional derangements which frequently have an injurious effect upon conduct. The clinico-pathological method makes possible an intensive study of the defective, abnormal, and deranged conditions revealed by the anatomical and physiological methods.
The psychological method, supported by the anatomical, physiological, and clinico-pathological methods, studies the mental traits and processes in order to ascertain in what mental states, whether normal or abnormal, criminal acts are committed. This method is very helpful in devising a classification of criminal types, because criminal conduct, like all forms of conduct, is determined primarily by these mental states. Inasmuch as many of the mental states which give rise to criminal conduct are abnormal, psychiatry plays an important part in the application of the psychological method.
The study of crime has great sociological significance. It furnishes one of the. most striking illustrations of the relation between the individual and society, and the conflict between individual and social interests. The penal treatment of the criminal is the most drastic form of social repression, and criminology is fundamentally a study of social control. Hence it is that criminology and ethics are closely related, and the study of crime involves the discussion of numerous ethical problems of great social importance and scientific interest.
Crime is ordinarily regarded as a pathological and abnormal form of conduct. The study of the abnormal is always of significance not only for its own sake, but also because of the light it throws upon the normal as well. It is impossible to recognize and understand fully the normal until the abnormal variations have been studied. So that the study of criminal conduct is instructive with respect to normal human conduct. It is frequently difficult to ascertain what is normal conduct, and in dealing with this problem I shall apply biological, psychological, social, and ethical norms. About
The Author...
Sammy is constantly searching out new topics and turning them into new articles for you!
Read some more of his works, such as his articles about Find Person Phone Search, Find Person Address and How To Find A Person On The Internet.
Read More From Sammy Beanard
|
