"Arguably, the complete package. A very good overview of topics and additional learning opportunities together with research articles all in one place. This book is a 'one-stop shop.'"
-Stuart Agnew, University of Suffolk
Criminological Theory: A Text/Reader, Third Edition helps students understand criminological theory, with each authored section of the text enhanced by empirical research articles that put theory into context. Key criminological theories are introduced and followed by articles that show how criminological theory can be applied to current policies, challenges, and issues, making it easier for students to connect theory and application.
New to the Third Edition:
Updated journal articles introduce students to important topics, such as media consumption and support for capital punishment, gender differences in delinquency, bias and police stops, and the effectiveness of reintegrative shaming and restorative justice.
A new section dedicated entirely to feminist perspectives introduces students to feminist models of crime and underscores the importance of examining research related to female offending.
A stronger global view integrated throughout the book increases students' exposure to criminological research and theory across nations and continents. Several of the new readings are written by authors or use samples from outside the United States, including South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Korea, and more.
New case studies examine offender motives to help students apply the theories discussed to interesting and memorable examples.
Policy is now integrated into each section, allowing students to see the practical policy implications of each theory.
Coverage of critical topics has been expanded throughout to introduce students to important issues, such as the influence of employment on criminal behavior, the success of school programs in reducing delinquent behavior, and federal sentencing guidelines in regard to crack versus powder cocaine.
Statistics, graphs, and tables have all been updated to demonstrate the most recent trends in criminology.
Foreword
Preface
SECTION I. Introduction to the Book: An Overview of Issues in Criminological Theory
What Is Criminology, and How Does It Differ from Other Examinations of Crime?
What Is Theory?
What Is Crime?
How Are Criminological Theories Classified? The Major Theoretical Paradigms
Characteristics of Good Theories
Measures of Crime
Rates of Crime
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 1. The Use and Usefulness of Criminology, 1751-2005: Enlightened Justice and Its Failures
SECTION II. Preclassical and Classical Theories of Crime
Preclassical Perspectives of Crime and Punishment
The Age of Enlightenment
The Classical School of Criminology
The Neoclassical School of Criminology
Loss of Dominance of Classical and Neoclassical Theory
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 2. On Crimes and Punishments
READING 3. Media Consumption and Support for Capital Punishment
SECTION III. Modern Applications of the Classical Perspective: Deterrence, Rational Choice, and Routine Activities or Lifestyle Theories of Crime
The Rebirth of Deterrence Theory and Contemporary Research
Rational Choice Theory
Routine Activities Theory
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 4. The Effects of Focused Deterrence Strategies on Crime: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Evidence
READING 5. Specifying the Direct and Indirect Effects of Low Self-Control and Situational Factors in Offenders' Decision Making: Toward a More Complete Model of Rational Offending
READING 6. Crime and Public Transportation: A Case Study of Ottawa's O-Train System
SECTION IV. Early Positive School Perspectives of Criminality
Lombroso's Theory of Atavism and Born Criminals
The IQ Testing Era
Body Type Theory: Sheldon's Model of Somatotyping
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 7. The Criminal Man (L'uomo delinquente)
READING 8. IQ and Delinquency: The Differential Detection Hypothesis Revisited
SECTION V. Modern Biosocial Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
Nature versus Nurture: Studies Examining the Influence of Genetics and Environment
Cytogenetic Studies: The XYY Factor
Hormones and Neurotransmitters: Chemicals That Determine Criminal Behavior
Brain Injuries
Central and Autonomic Nervous System Activity
Biosocial Approaches to Explaining Criminal Behavior
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 9. A Theory Explaining Biological Correlates of Criminality
READING 10. Criminal Behavior: The Need for an Integrative Approach That Incorporates Biological Influences
READING 11. A Life-Course Analysis of the Criminogenic Effects of Maternal Cigarette Smoking during
SECTION VI. Early Social Structure and Strain Theories of Crime
Early Theories of Social Structure: Early to Mid-1800s
Strain Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 12. Social Structure and Anomie
READING 13. Anomic Strain and External Constraints: A Reassessment of Merton's Anomie/Strain Theory Using Data from Ukraine
READING 14. Gender and General Strain Theory: A Comparison of Strains, Mediating, and Moderating Effects Explaining Three Types of Delinquency
SECTION VII. The Chicago School and Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime
The Ecological School and the Chicago School of Criminology
Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 15. Delinquency Rates and Community Characteristics
READING 16. Social Disorganization and Homicide in Recife, Brazil
READING 17. Peaceful Warriors: Codes for Violence among Adult Male Bar Fighters
SECTION VIII. Social Process and Learning Theories of Crime
Learning Theories
Control Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 18. A Sociological Theory of Criminal Behavior
READING 19. A Social Learning Theory of Crime
READING 20. Do Women and Men Differ in Their Neutralizations of Corporate Crime?
READING 21. Peers and Delinquency among Girls and Boys: Are Sex Differences in Delinquency Explained by Peer Factors?
SECTION IX. Social Reaction and Critical Models of Crime
Labeling and Social Reaction Theory
Marxist Theories of Crime
Conflict Theories of Crime
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 22. Informal Reactions and Delinquency
READING 23. Neighborhood Variation in Police Stops and Searches: A Test of Consensus and Conflict Perspectives
SECTION X. Feminist Models of Crime
Feminist Theories of Crime
Key Terms in the Feminist Perspective
Key Issues in Research on Gender Differences in Offending
Types of Feminism
Critiques of Feminist Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 24. Patriarchy, Crime, and Justice: Feminist Criminology in an Era of Backlash
READING 25. The Intersectional Alternative: Explaining Female Criminality
SECTION XI. Life-Course Perspectives of Criminality
Developmental Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 26. Criminal Career Paradigm: Background, Recent Developments, and the Way Forward
READING 27. Serious, Violent Young Offenders in South Africa: Are They Life-Course Persistent Offenders?
READING 28. Unintended Consequences: Policy Implications of the NAS Report on Criminal Careers and Career Criminals
SECTION XII. Integrated Theoretical Models and New Perspectives of Crime
Integrated Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
SECTION SUMMARY
KEY TERMS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
WEB RESOURCES
READING 29. An Integrated Theoretical Perspective on Delinquent Behavior
READING 30. The Effectiveness of Reintegrative Shaming and Restorative Justice Conferences: Focusing on Juvenile Offenders' Perceptions in Australian Reintegrative Shaming Experiments
READING 31. Toward an Interactional Theory of Delinquency
Glossary
Index
About the Authors
