NCJ Number
163888
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (1996) Pages: 181-194
Date Published
1996
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper illustrates how Cavan's 1961 concept of the "continuum of behavior" can be used to broaden criminological theory.
Abstract
Cavan's work was selected because her conceptualization lends itself most readily to a visual expansion of traditional theories. In addition, her continuum of behavior highlights the work of an early pioneer woman in criminology whose contributions have been ignored and/or trivialized by other theorists. While mainstream criminology has emphasized the necessity of an objective, neutral, scientific approach to the study of crime, criminal behavior, and punishment, Cavan has contributed in such areas as family, criminology, juvenile delinquency, and historical utopian communes. Her continuum of behavior model involves expanding criminology's definition of delinquent behavior and emphasizes evaluating misbehavior in the context of the total social structure. While patriarchal criminologists have prided themselves on developing objective, neutral theories of crime and criminal behavior, the author points to Cavan's continuum of behavior as a valuable conceptual scheme to illustrate the traditionally narrow focus of criminological theories and research. 31 references, 5 endnotes, and 1 figure