NCJ Number
188202
Date Published
1998
Length
528 pages
Annotation
This introductory textbook presents an overview of the study of criminology, examines theoretical explanations of crime and criminality, and discusses specific forms of criminal behavior.
Abstract
The book begins with a general introduction to the study of criminology, an analysis of research methods, an assessment of data sources on crime and criminals, and a description of general patterns and variations in crime. The next chapters explore early, classical, and positivistic theories and describes and compares sociological theories, including anomie theories, social process theories, social control theories, labeling theory, conflict criminology, new critical criminology, and radical Marxist criminology. The next seven chapters focus on specific forms of criminal behavior, using an expanded and modified version of Clinard and Quinney’s criminal behavior systems typology. Individual chapters consider the violent criminal behaviors of murder, assault, assassination, rape, robbery, domestic assault, and drunk driving and both occasional, opportunistic property crime and conventional property crime. Additional chapters focus on professional criminals such as con artists, pickpockets, and shoplifters; white collar crime; political crime committed by or against a government for ideological reasons; organized crime; and vice-related or victimless crime. The final chapter considers the future of crime and on possible social policy responses. Figures, tables, photographs, lists of main concepts for each chapter, name index, subject index, and approximately 1,800 references