NCJ Number
193019
Date Published
1999
Length
273 pages
Annotation
This volume explains the theoretical, research, and public policy aspects of the major sociological perspectives on crime and deviance.
Abstract
The discussions focus on perspectives based on general sociological theory and explain how each theory informs research and how theory and research stimulate crime control policies. The introduction notes that the study of deviance as a norm violation and as a social definition constitutes the sociology of deviance. It also examines biological, psychological, and social levels of explanation. The six subsequent chapters each examine theory, research, and public policy for a specific perspective: (1) the structural/functional perspective; (2) the ecological perspective, including theory and research related to social disorganization, control, and learning processes; (3) the rational choice/deterrence perspective; (4) the labeling perspective; (5) the constructionist perspective; and (6) the conflict perspective. The final chapter discusses historical patterns, current trends, and future directions in the study of crime and deviance. This chapter reviews requisites and problems inherent in alternative methods for integrating existing theoretical perspectives, notes that theory competition is another strategy for theoretical development, and explores the potential impacts of globalization on the study of crime and deviance. Tables, figures, footnotes, index, and approximately 400 references