NCJ Number
14238
Date Published
1974
Length
667 pages
Annotation
A REVISED EDITION OF A TEXTBOOK INTENDED FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Abstract
PART 1 EXAMINES FACTS OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY AND RELATES THEM TO THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION, DIFFERENTIAL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION, AND OTHER THEORIES. THE FACTUAL DATA EXAMINED INCLUDE VARIATIONS OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY RATES WITH AGE, SEX, RACE, POVERTY, EDUCATIONAL STATUS, URBANIZATION, AND OTHER VARIABLES, AS WELL AS THE INCIDENCE AMONG CRIMINALS AND DELINQUENTS OF VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL TRAITS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND PROCESSES. THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY AND ALTERNATIVE THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION ARE EVALUATED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR COMPARATIVE CAPACITY TO 'MAKE SENSE' OF THE FACTS. IN PART 2 FACTUAL MATERIALS PERTAINING TO CONTROL OF CRIME ARE RELATED TO SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT, AS WELL AS TO THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND DIFFERENTIAL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION THEORIES. IMPRISONMENT, PROBATION, PAROLE, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, GROUP THERAPY, AND PSYCHO-ANALYSIS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE IDENTIFIED AS SOCIETAL REACTIONS TO CRIME: VARIATIONS IN THESE SOCIETAL REACTIONS ARE OBSERVED; AND THEORIES TO ACCOUNT FOR THE VARIATIONS ARE PRESENTED. THE CONTEMPORARY CONFLICT BETWEEN PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS IS DOCUMENTED, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS CONFLICT FOR THE 'POLITICS OF CRIME' AND FOR PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATION OF POLICE, COURTS, PROBATION DEPARTMENTS, PAROLE DEPARTMENTS, AND PRISONS ARE EXAMINED. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND DIFFERENTIAL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION THEORIES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION AND FOR REFORM AND REHABILITATION BOTH OF CRIMINALS AND OF CRIMINAL LAW ARE EXPLORED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)