NCJ Number
217688
Date Published
2007
Length
513 pages
Annotation
This text is designed for both scholars and students providing a contemporary survey of the field of criminology, acquainting readers on how the discipline has developed over the last two centuries and with major theories, both historic and current.
Abstract
This book introduces students to the future of criminology by offering new and exciting insights. It includes sections on crime policy and prevention that illustrate the practical benefits of understanding theory and how theories guide policymakers seeking to prevent and control crime. Chapters on typologies, such as violent crime, serial killers, terrorism, drug and alcohol addiction, psychopaths, organized crime, and white-collar crime engage students while showing how the theories presented earlier can be applied. It tackles crucial modern problems such as cybercrime and terrorism. It addresses important issues of definition and measurement: victimology, drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. All chapters contain useful exercises, questions, and glossaries of terms. The text is written in an accessible format, featuring many educational tools. The text offers an interdisciplinary perspective on crime and criminality. It accomplishes this by integrating the latest theories, concepts, and research from sociology, psychology, and biology. Eight wide-ranging integrated theories are described in situational and community influences. Criminological theory and concepts are first presented in their traditional form and then it is shown how integrating theory and concepts from the more basic sciences can compliment, expand, strengthen, and add coherence to them. With crime viewed as a pressing social problem and criminology a fast-expanding area, books of this nature, well-researched and wide-ranging are greatly needed. Figures, photos, glossary, and index