Full Description
This examination of crime and criminological theory takes a direct approach to a question that often confuses and frustrates students, why do people commit crimes? This volume begins with an overview of the key elements of the study of crime and criminology, including law, public policy, research literature and the philosophical origins of crime theories. These theories, based in biology, psychology, and sociology, are then broken down to their basic elements and causal processes in order to be explored. The authors examine the practical implications and applications each theory has on the administration of justice. In conclusion, the text looks at the future of crime theory by speculating whether or not new research designs, theories and paradigms are needed.
Contents
Theory and structure of the game: Structure of theory; human nature, government and public policy; the nature of laws and crimes; origins of crime theories; understanding crime; Deterrence and opportunity theories: Formal deterrence; Rational choice theory; Routine activities and opportunity theory; informal deterrence and related processes; Biological and biochemical theories: Origins of biological explanations; Genetics and crimes; Biochemistry and crime; Theories of psychological abnormalities: Psychoanalytic theories; Deviant personalities and psychopathologies; Psychological learning and developmental theories: Intelligence and crime; Behaviorism and learning theories; Developmental theories; Social organisational theories: Crime and social ecology; Crime and social structure; Crime and subcultures; Social process theories: Learning theories; Social control theories; Self-control theory; Labeling and conflict theories: Labeling theory; Conflict and crime; Marxist and feminist theories: Marxism and crime; Feminist criminology; New developments in theory; Question one - research designs; Question two - theories; Question three - new paradigms .
