Social Disorganization And Strain Theories A Historical Perspective On Contemporary Theories Of Criminology

An intense analysis of these early theories is required in order to conduct a critical examination of contemporary criminological philosophies. Contemporary criminologists and academic scholars continue to employ forms of social disorganization and strain theory into new theoretical models. The strengths and deficiencies attributable to this early theory continue to enhance understanding of a plethora of studies proposed as facilitators in the quest to determine causation of deviant, criminal behaviors

This text is a comprehensive anthology in which criminologists Cullen and Agnew take readers from past to present, reviewing classic and contemporary theories of crime. This new edition features 14 new selections, ranging from classic works to recent selections on social disorganization, and control balance theories.

A collection of original essays addressing theories of criminal behavior that is written at a level appropriate for undergraduate students. This book offers section introductions that provide a historical background for each theory, key issues that the theory addresses, and a discussion of any controversies generated by the theory.

In Criminological Theories, the noted criminologist Ronald Akers provides thorough description, discussion, and appraisal of the leading theories of crime/delinquent behavior and law/criminal justice - the origin and history of each theory and its contemporary developments and adherents. Akers offers a clear explanation of each theory (the central concepts and hypotheses of each theory as well as critical criteria for evaluating each theory in terms of its empirical validity). Researchers and librarians, as well as general readers, will find this book a very useful tool and will applaud its clear and understandable exposition of abstract concepts.

Updated Edition of a Best-Seller! Offering a rich introduction to how scholars analyze crime, Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences moves readers beyond a commonsense knowledge of crime to a deeper understanding of the importance of theory in shaping crime control policies. The Seventh Edition of the authors’ clear, accessible, and thoroughly revised text covers traditional and contemporary theory within a larger sociological and historical context. It includes new sources that assess the empirical status of the major theories, as well as updated coverage of crime control policies and their connection to criminological theory.

Presenting a clear, comprehensive review of theoretical thinking on crime, this book encourages students to develop a deeper understanding of classic and contemporary theories and provides an interdisciplinary approach to criminology through the contributions of sociology, psychology and biology. A key text for any undergraduate student following programmes in criminology and criminal justice, Theories of Crime covers topics such as: the historical context of crime biological explanations for criminal behaviour psychological explanations for criminal behaviour sociological explanations for the criminal behaviour the criminal behaviour of women the criminal behaviour of ethnic minorities. By adopting an interactive approach to encourage students to react to the text and think for themselves, this book distinguishes itself from others in the field and ensures its place as a valuable teaching resource. The student-centred nature of the book is further enhanced by reflective question breaks throughout the text, chapter summaries, suggested further reading and web sites.

The essays contained in this book capture the stories behind the invention of criminology's major theoretical perspectives and preserves information from the generation that defined the field for the past decades that otherwise would have been lost. This history shows criminology to be a human enterprise. Its ideas were not driven primarily by data, nor were the theories invented solely as part of the scientific process. To the contrary, American criminology's great theories most often preceded the collection of data; they guided and produced empirical inquiry, not vice versa. This volume demonstrates that humanity is what makes theory possible in that diverse experiences allow individual scholars to see the world differently, and thus shape theoretical paradigms based on their own unique life stories.

This volume contains recent and cutting-edge articles from leading criminological theorists. The book is organized into ten sections, each representing the latest in the multi-disciplinary orientations representing a cross-section of contemporary criminological theory. These sections include: 1: Classical and Rational Choice; 2: Biological and Biosocial; 3: Psychological; 4: Social Learning and Neutralization; 5: Social Control; 6: Social Ecology, Sub-cultural and Cultural; 7: Anomie and Strain; 8: Conflict and Radical; 9: Feminist and Gender; 10: Critical Criminologies: Anarchist, Postmodernist, Peacemaking. The articles were selected based on their contributions to advancing the field, including ways in which the authors of each chapter understand the current theoretical tendencies of their respective approaches and how they envision the future of their theories. Because of this, the articles focus on theory rather than empirical research. Of particular note is the tendency toward integration of different perspectives, as described by editors, Henry and Lukas, in their original introduction to this volume.