Criminal Theory Profiles

This book brings to life the major theories of crime and deviance by presenting detailed profiles that help readers differentiate each theory and its major propositions by better understanding how, when, and by whom the theory was formed. Criminology is based on strong theoretical foundations that attempt to answer the question of why people commit crime. Criminological theory is especially complex in that theorists come from a variety of disciplines including medicine, sociology, psychology, economics, and law. While not an exhaustive list of each theorist’s works, nor an in-depth review of the empirical work that has been done on each theory, this text tracks the intellectual development of a theory by profiling the theorists who are responsible for the major ideas in criminological thought. By viewing the field in the context of the social conditions of the time and the personal histories of the theorists, students can better understand the intellectual history of each theory and the relationship between criminology and other fields, to grasp a better appreciation of how the science of crime and the study of criminals has evolved. All chapters are organized with a brief overview of the theorist and their significant ideas, a biographical profile of the theorist, coverage of the theoretical developments and contributions of the theorist, a list of major works by the theorist, and a summary detailing the overall legacy of the theorist in the field. This book is ideal for courses on criminology, criminological theory, and criminal behavior.

In this book, renowned profiler Dr. Richard Kocsis presents a distinct approach to profiling called Crime Action Profiling or CAP. The volume explains the scope and methodology employed in the studies that the author has undertaken over the past decade and a half. CAP adopts the view that profiling essentially represents a psychological technique that has its foundations in the disciplinary knowledge of forensic psychology.

In this book, renowned profiler Dr. Richard Kocsis presents a distinct approach to profiling called Crime Action Profiling or CAP. The volume explains the scope and methodology employed in the studies that the author has undertaken over the past decade and a half. CAP adopts the view that profiling essentially represents a psychological technique that has its foundations in the disciplinary knowledge of forensic psychology.

Most incidents of violent crime occur between people who know each other, but in other cases (fortunately much less frequent) there are no obvious ties between the victim and the criminal, and these cases cause a great deal of social fear and uncertainty. They also result in large-scale, costly investigations and, increasingly, police are collaborating with other professionals in a process of offender profiling which might help their investigation. This book is a substantial, unique and critical account of the scope and practice of offender profiling, and its limitations. Professionals worldwide, from psychiatry, psychology, criminology and policing, have contributed accounts of their experience and knowledge across a range of approaches to offender profiling. Some use a clinical approach, based on the application of established theories of personality and psychopathy. Others argue for the effectiveness of the objective analysis of offence records to predict future offending. Some of the police contributions provide a frank description of their methods, others address the difficult issues relating to the use of offender profiling. This is a controversial subject, full of potent myth, and the object of this book is to provide a cool overview of the related scientific knowledge, now spread over many journals and reports, as well as accounts of the process and difficulties of offender profiling. It will be useful and interesting to most scientists and professionals in the field of criminal justice. This book is in the Wiley Series in the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to criminological theory for students taking courses in criminology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Building on previous editions, this book presents the latest research and theoretical developments. The text is divided into five parts, the first three of which address ideal type models of criminal behaviour: the rational actor, predestined actor and victimized actor models. Within these, the various criminological theories are located chronologically in the context of one of these different traditions, and the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and model are clearly identified. The fourth part of the book looks closely at more recent attempts to integrate theoretical elements from both within and across models of criminal behaviour, while the fifth part addresses a number of key recent concerns of criminology: postmodernism, cultural criminology, globalization and communitarianism, the penal society, southern criminology and critical criminology. All major theoretical perspectives are considered, including: classical criminology, biological and psychological positivism, labelling theories, feminist criminology, critical criminology and left realism, situation action, desistance theories, social control theories, the risk society, postmodern condition and terrorism. The new edition also features comprehensive coverage of recent developments in criminology, including ‘the myth of the crime drop’, the revitalization of critical criminology and political economy, shaming and crime, defiance theory, coerced mobility theory and new developments in social control and general strain theories. This revised and expanded fifth edition of An Introduction to Criminological Theory includes chapter summaries, critical thinking questions, policy implications, a full glossary of terms and theories and a timeline of criminological theory, making it essential reading for those studying criminology and taking courses on theoretical criminology, understanding crime, and crime and deviance

The Origins of Criminological Theory offers a new sort of theory textbook, both in content and concept. Whereas other texts offer a mainly twentieth century account of criminological theory, this book looks further back, tracing the development of our understanding of crime and deviance throughout the ages, from Ancient Greece right through to the dawn of the rehabilitation ideal. The central objective of this book is to inform readers of the significant role the past has played in our contemporary theories of crime. Core content includes: Justice in Ancient Greece The Dark Ages and innocence The Age of Enlightenment and human nature The Classical School and Utilitarianism The medicalization of crime Biological positivism The birth of rehabilitation In addition to providing a unique approach, the book also has unique authorship. Each chapter is written by an incarcerated author housed at a men’s medium and maximum-security prison in the US. The writers are supported by one or more co-authors: university students who carry out the research for each chapter. This book therefore offers a new way of thinking about theory and makes a significant contribution to convict criminology. It will be of interest to those taking courses in criminological theory, and to programmes such as Inside Out in the US, and the Prison-University Partnerships Network in the UK.

In this book, renowned profiler Dr. Richard Kocsis presents a distinct approach to profiling called Crime Action Profiling or CAP. The volume explains the scope and methodology employed in the studies that the author has undertaken over the past decade and a half. CAP adopts the view that profiling essentially represents a psychological technique that has its foundations in the disciplinary knowledge of forensic psychology.

An indispensable resource for all levels, this handbook provides up-to-date, in-depth summaries of the most important theories in criminology. Provides original, cutting-edge, and in-depth summaries of the most important theories in criminology Covers the origins and assumptions behind each theory, explores current debates and research, points out knowledge gaps, and offers directions for future research Encompasses theory, research, policy, and practice, with recommendations for further reading at the end of each essay Features discussions of broad issues and topics related to the field, such as the correlates of crime, testing theory, policy, and prediction Clearly and accessibly written by leading scholars in the field as well as up-and-coming scholars