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Criminological Theory in Context
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Criminological Theory in Context



January 2015 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

This book provides a lively, concise and definitive introduction to the study of the causes of crime. Authoritative yet accessible, it offers a guide to the historical development of criminology as an academic discipline and in doing so:

 

  • presents an overview of a range of different theories of crime, including classical, biological, psychological and sociological approaches
  • analyses the strengths and weaknesses of each theory discussed
  • provides chapter overview boxes and key summary points
  • helps you to take your studies further with self-study tasks and suggestions for further reading.

In covering key theoretical positions and placing them in their historical context, Criminological Theory in Context is perfect for students taking introductory courses in criminological theory.

 
Chapter 1: Studying Criminal Life
Crime and society: an introduction

 
Researching criminal life: the place of theories of crime

 
 
Chapter 2: Classical Criminology and Contemporary Rational Choice Theory
Introduction: the reasoning criminal and the social contract

 
Society, crime and punishment

 
Classical criminology and crime deterrence

 
Neoclassical criminology

 
Critiquing Classical/Neoclassical criminology: does deterrence work?

 
Contemporary rational choice theory

 
Situational crime prevention, opportunity theory and routine activity

 
 
Chapter 3: Biological Criminology
Introduction: Classicism, positivism and the development of Biological forms of criminology

 
Physiognomy and phrenology

 
Lombroso and atavism

 
Lombroso’s heritage: in search of the criminal type

 
Genes and crime

 
Brain development, injuries and mapping

 
Biochemistry, hormones, diet and crime

 
 
Chapter 4: Psychological Criminology
Introduction: the Classical school and Psychological and Biological theories of crime

 
Freud and personality development

 
Eysenck, dimensions of personality and criminal behaviour

 
Sutherland, differential association theory and social learning

 
Psychological criminology and mentally disordered offenders

 
 
Chapter 5: Strain Theory, Social Disorganisation Theory and Labelling Theory
Introducing the sociological study of criminal life

 
Durkheim: social facts, social solidarity and anomie

 
Merton and Agnew: anomie and Strain Theory

 
Park and Burgess: Social Disorganisation Theory and the Broken Windows hypothesis

 
Mead and Blumer: symbolic interactionism and Labelling Theory

 
Lemert, Becker and Erikson: towards the sociology of deviance

 
Restorative justice and Braithwaite’s Reintegrative Shaming Theory

 
 
Chapter 6: Critical Criminology, Part 1: Marxist, Peacemaking and Realist Theories of Crime
Determinism and free will in sociological forms of criminology

 
Critical criminology: a conflict theory of society

 
Critical criminology and the duality of structure

 
Karl Marx and Willem Bonger: towards a Marxist theory of crime

 
Marxist criminology: crime as a rational response to the conditions of capitalism

 
Peacemaking criminology

 
Left and Right Realist criminology

 
 
Chapter 7: Critical Criminology, Part 2: Feminist and Cultural Criminology
Critical criminology and Feminist and Cultural theories of crime

 
The feminist critique of ‘malestream’ criminology

 
Marxism and Feminist criminology

 
The growth of female offending: power/control theory, the liberation opportunity thesis and the economic marginalisation thesis

 
Feminism, masculinity studies and contemporary Critical criminology: highlighting the importance of gender, race and class

 
Cultural criminology

 
 
Chapter 8: Postmodern Critical Standpoints and the Criminal Life Course
Introduction: Critical criminology revisited

 
Positivism and realism, postmodernism and anti-realism

 
Life Course criminology

 
 
Chapter 9: Reflecting on Theories of Crime, Theories of Human Nature: Crime in the Age of the Enterprising Risky Citizen-subject
From modernity to high modernity

 
The neoliberal enterprise form and the criminal justice system

 
Conclusion: reflecting on theories of crime and theories of human nature

 

Well received by my level 5 students completing their Crim Theory assignment.

Mr Peter Norton
Uniformed public services, Sheffield College
March 26, 2015

An excellent text book. A must for all students who are interested in criminology. Packed full of theories looking at psychological and sociological perspectives. Excellent self study task that provoke the mind. A must have for a students book collection.

Miss Sharron Stillyards
health and social care, northlindsey college
March 24, 2015

A good all round book, maybe a bit to general for specific policing courses. Better suited for wholly criminological courses. I was hoping it would be able to explore criminological theory in a more basic way.

Ms Allison Savory
Department of Social Sciences, Bucks New University
March 24, 2015

This is an excellent resource for students beginning their studies. Many students are initially intimidated by the subject and terminology of criminology and this book eases them in.

Mrs Caroline Knight
Children,Health, Adventure & Public Services, South Devon College
July 23, 2015
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