Classical Perspective Of Deviance Essay

The classical theoretical perspective is considered to be one of the first modern perspectives that viewed deviance as a rational choice for someone who wanted to maximize their pleasure while maintaining a minimum amount of pain as a cost for doing so (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 63). This perspective assumed that deviant people were no different than anyone else. The reasoning for this was because “the system of lawful social controls was not rational enough to deter people from choosing pleasure beyond the prescribed boundaries of the social contract” (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 74). The perception of punishment, according to the principles of the classical perspective, suggests that punishment can deter deviance only to the extent of knowing the price one may pay for straying off the path of conformity (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 90). According to Cesare Beccaria, punishment must be calculated in order to deter future acts of deviance, and the punishment “must be certain, swift, and slightly more severe than the fruits of deviation would be pleasurable” (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 73). Jack Gibbs, a deterrence researcher, noted that increasing the severity of punishment will likely increase deviance in a specific offender (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 88), but it has its limitations. …show more content…
That point is when deviants are aware of the price that will be paid for not following the rules and conforming to societies norms (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 90), and punishment is not appropriate in all settings. “For deterrence to function effectively as a means of social control, there must be some guarantee that a high percentage of offenders either will be punished or at least believe that they will be punished” (Pfohl, 2009, pg. 92). Serving time in jail and Folsom Prison didn’t change Sonny’s behavior, values or attitude because punishment sometimes works differently for different