Which major criminological theory argues that humans are born with a blank slate?

The major criminological theory that argues humans are born with a blank slate is behaviorism. This perspective is closely associated with the work of psychologists like John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, who theorized that behavior is learned through interaction with the environment rather than being an inherent trait. The "blank slate" concept, also known as tabula rasa, suggests that individuals start without built-in mental content and that all knowledge comes from experience or perception.

Behaviorism emphasizes that behaviors, including criminal behavior, can be influenced and shaped through conditioning and reinforcement. This means that individuals can learn to engage in or avoid certain behaviors based on the consequences of their actions, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the development of behavior.

Other theories like social control theory, life course theory, and classical theory do not propose this notion of a blank slate. Social control theory focuses on how societal bonds influence behavior and the tendency toward conformity or deviance. Life course theory examines how various life stages and transitions affect individuals and their pathways in and out of criminal behavior. Classical theory centers on the idea that people are rational beings who weigh the consequences of their actions, focusing on free will and deterrence, rather than on the notion of innate characteristics.