Criminology: A Sociological Understanding

by Steven F. Barkan

• ISBN13: 9780133416039
• ISBN10: 0133416038
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-09-01
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

Summary

In presenting a sociological perspective on crime and criminal justice, this book highlights issues of race, gender, and class throughout and emphasizes the criminogenic effects of the social and physical features of urban neighborhoods. Several chapters uncommon in other books are included.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii	(3)
About the Author	xvi
PART I UNDERSTANDING CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION	1	(113)
CHAPTER 1 CRIMINOLOGY AND THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE	1	(20)
The Sociological Perspective	4	(3)
The Mutual Relevance of Sociology and Criminology	6	(1)
The Rise of Sociological Criminology	7	(2)
Consensus and Conflict in the Creation of Criminal Law	9	(1)
Research Methodology in Criminology	10	(5)
Types of Research	11	(3)
Criteria for Causality	14	(1)
An Overview of Criminal Law	15	(4)
Legal Distinctions in Types of Crimes	16	(1)
Criminal Intent	16	(1)
Legal Defenses to Criminal Liability	17	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	19	(1)
Key Terms	20	(1)
CHAPTER 2 PUBLIC OPINION, THE NEWS MEDIA, AND THE CRIME PROBLEM	21	(30)
Public Opinion and Public Policy	23	(2)
The Accuracy of Public Beliefs About Crime and Criminal Justice	25	(11)
The News Media and Public Opinion on Crime	26	(2)
Overdramatization of Crime in the News Media	28	(1)
A Brief Look Back	29	(2)
Crime Myths	31	(3)
MEDIA COVERAGE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN	34
The Effects of Media Coverage	33	(3)
Research on Public Attitudes About Crime and Punishment	36	(12)
Fear of Crime	36	(7)
PERCEPTIONS OF CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN CANADA	43	(1)
The Seriousness of Crime	44	(2)
Attitudes Toward the Punishment of Criminals	46	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	48	(2)
Key Terms	50	(1)
CHAPTER 3 THE MEASUREMENT AND PATTERNING OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR	51	(33)
Measuring Crime	53	(11)
The Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)	53	(5)
The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)	58	(4)
Self-Report Studies	62	(2)
Evaluating UCR, NCVS, and Self-Report Data	64	(1)
Recent Trends in U.S. Crime Rates	64	(2)
The Patterning of Criminal Behavior	66	(3)
Geographical Patterns	66	(1)
MEASURING CRIME IN OTHER NATIONS	67	(1)
Seasonal and Climatological Variations	68	(1)
Social Patterns of Criminal Behavior	69	(11)
Gender and Crime	69	(4)
Race and Crime	73	(3)
Class and Crime	76	(2)
Age and Crime	78	(2)
Chronic Offenders and Criminal Careers	80	(2)
CRIMINAL POTENTIAL AND LIFE EVENTS AFTER CHILDHOOD	81	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	82	(1)
Key Terms	83	(1)
CHAPTER 4 VICTIMS AND VICTIMIZATION	84	(30)
Defining Victims and Studying Victimization	86	(2)
The Patterning of Victimization	88	(12)
Geographical Patterns	88	(1)
Social Patterns	89	(1)
CROSS-NATIONAL VICTIMIZATION PATTERNS	90	(5)
The Victim-Offender Relationship	95	(2)
Crime Characteristics	97	(2)
Rape and Family Violence	99	(1)
Explaining Victimization	100	(6)
Lifestyle and Routine Activities Theory	101	(2)
Deviant Lifestyles and Victimization	103	(1)
Physical Proximity and Victimization	104	(1)
Explaining Demographic Variation in Victimization	104	(1)
The Issue of Victim Precipitation	104	(2)
The Costs and Consequences of Victimization	106	(2)
Economic and Medical Costs and Consequences	106	(1)
Psychological Consequences	107	(1)
Victims in the Criminal Justice System	108	(2)
Victimization by White-Collar Crime	110	(1)
Victimization Against the Homeless	110	(2)
THE POLITICS OF VICTIMIZATION	111	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	112	(1)
Key Terms	113	(1)
PART II EXPLAINING CRIME	114	(137)
CHAPTER 5 EXPLAINING CRIME: EMPHASIS ON THE INDIVIDUAL	114	(38)
From Theology to Science	118	(5)
Gods and Demons as Causes of Crime and Deviance	118	(1)
The Age of Reason	118	(1)
The Classical School of Criminology	119	(3)
The Rise of Positivism	122	(1)
Biological Explanations	123	(16)
Phrenology	123	(1)
Cesare Lombroso
Atavism	124	(2)
Earnest Hooton
Biological Inferiority	126	(1)
William Sheldon
Body Shapes	127	(1)
Family, Heredity, and Genes	128	(3)
Neurochemical Mechanisms	131	(3)
Diet and Nutrition	134	(1)
Pregnancy and Birth Complications	135	(1)
Critique of Biological Explanations	135	(1)
RACE AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH	136	(3)
Psychological Explanations	139	(11)
Psychoanalytic Explanations	139	(2)
Moral Development and Crime	141	(1)
Intelligence and Crime	142	(2)
Personality and Crime	144	(2)
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN NEW ZEALAND	146	(1)
Critique of Psychological Explanations	147	(3)
Summary and Conclusion	150	(1)
Key Terms	151	(1)
CHAPTER 6 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES: EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL STRUCTURE	152	(32)
The Legacy of Durkheim	155	(1)
Social Disorganization and Social Ecology	156	(11)
Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay	158	(1)
Critique of Social Disorganization Theory	159	(1)
The Revival of Social Disorganization Theory	160	(1)
Other Ecological Work	160	(2)
CRIME RATES RISE AS NORMS BREAK DOWN	162	(5)
Anomie/Strain Theory	167	(7)
Critique of Anomie Theory	169	(1)
Defense and Extension of Anomie Theory	170	(2)
General Strain Theory	172	(1)
CRIME IN FAMILIES: SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OR BIOLOGICAL PROBLEM?	173	(1)
Subcultural Theories	174	(6)
Albert K. Cohen
School Failure and Delinquent Subcultures	174	(2)
Walter B. Miller
Focal Concerns	176	(2)
Marvin Wolfgang
Franco Ferracuti
The Subculture of Violence	178	(1)
Richard Cloward
Lloyd Ohlin
Differential Opportunity Theory	179	(1)
Structural Theories and Gender	180	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	181	(2)
Key Terms	183	(1)
CHAPTER 7 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES: EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL PROCESS	184	(33)
Learning Theories	186	(8)
Edwin H. Sutherland
Differential Association Theory	187	(3)
DELINQUENT PEERS AND DELINQUENCY: THE CAUSAL ORDER DEBATE	190	(2)
Other Learning Theories	192	(2)
Control Theories	194	(19)
Walter Reckless
Containment Theory	195	(1)
Gresham M. Sykes
David Matza
Neutralization and Drift Theory	196	(3)
Travis Hirschi
Social Control Theory	199	(3)
SOCIAL BONDING AND CRIME IN JAPAN	202	(9)
Michael Gottfredson
Travis Hirschi
Self-Control Theory	211	(2)
Integrating Social Process and Structural Explanations	213	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	215	(1)
Key Terms	216	(1)
CHAPTER 8 SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES	217	(34)
Labeling Theory	219	(10)
The Relativist Definition of Crime and Deviance	219	(1)
The Imposition of the Deviant Label	220	(2)
The Negative Consequences of Labeling	222	(3)
Critique of Labeling Theory	225	(1)
Revising and Renewing Labeling Theory	226	(1)
HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS?	227	(2)
Conflict and Radical Theories	229	(13)
Consensus and Conflict Perspectives in Sociology	229	(1)
Conflict Perspectives in Criminology	230	(2)
Radical Theories in Criminology	232	(2)
CRIME AND THE ECONOMY IN CHINA AND VIETNAM	234	(8)
Feminist Theories	242	(7)
Feminist Perspectives in Criminology	243	(1)
The Scope of Feminist Theory and Research	244	(2)
Developments in Feminist Criminology	246	(2)
A Final Word on Feminism	248	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	249	(1)
Key Terms	250	(1)
PART III CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS	251	(207)
CHAPTER 9 VIOLENT CRIME: HOMICIDE, ASSAULT, AND ROBBERY	251	(34)
Homicide and Assault	253	(18)
Defining Homicide and Assault	253	(1)
The Patterning and Social Dynamics of Homicide	254	(4)
Trends in U.S. Homicide Rates	258	(2)
Explaining Homicide and Assault	260	(2)
WHY IS CANADA LESS VIOLENT THAN THE UNITED STATES?	262	(7)
Mass Media and Violence	269	(2)
Robbery	271	(5)
Defining Robbery	271	(1)
USING VIOLENCE TO STOP VIOLENCE	272	(1)
The Extent, Patterning, and Costs of Robbery	272	(3)
Types of Robbers	275	(1)
Explaining Robbery	275	(1)
Handguns and Gun Control	276	(5)
The Extent and Distribution of Handguns	277	(1)
The Use of Handguns in Violent Crime	277	(1)
Do Handguns Deter or Promote Violent Crime?	278	(1)
The Effectiveness of Gun Control	279	(1)
The Effectiveness of Tougher Penalties for Handgun Crimes	280	(1)
Reducing Violent Crime	281	(3)
What History Tells Us	282	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	284	(1)
Key Terms	284	(1)
CHAPTER 10 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN	285	(30)
Violence Against Women	287	(20)
An International Problem	288	(1)
Defining Rape and Battering	288	(1)
DOWRY DEATHS IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN	289	(1)
The Extent of Rape and Battering	290	(2)
The Social Patterning of Rape and Battering	292	(4)
Explaining Rape and Battering	296	(5)
The Issue of Husband Battering	301	(1)
Reducing Violence Against Women	302	(2)
IS A WOMAN'S SEXUAL PAST RELEVANT IN A RAPE CASE?	304	(3)
Violence Against Children: Physical and Sexual Abuse	307	(6)
Defining Child Physical and Sexual Abuse	308	(1)
The Extent of Physical and Sexual Abuse	308	(3)
The Patterning of Physical and Sexual Abuse	311	(1)
Explaining Child Abuse	311	(2)
Reducing Child Abuse	313	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	313	(1)
Key Terms	314	(1)
CHAPTER 11 PROPERTY CRIME	315	(28)
Defining Property Crimes	317	(1)
The Extent of Property Crime	318	(1)
The Patterning of Property Crime	319	(3)
The Social Organization of Property Crime	322	(4)
Burglary	323	(3)
PROPERTY CRIME IN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ENGLAND	326	(1)
Property Crime Victimization: Costs and Circumstances	326	(3)
Forgery and Fraud	329	(3)
Check Forgery and Credit Card Fraud	329	(1)
Coupon Fraud	330	(1)
Welfare and Tax Fraud	330	(1)
Insurance Fraud	331	(1)
Explaining Property Crime	332	(6)
Cultural Emphasis on Economic Success	332	(1)
Techniques of Neutralization	333	(1)
Economic Deprivation and Unemployment	334	(1)
Routine Activities and Social Process Factors	335	(1)
Property Crime for Thrills	335	(1)
A Look at Shoplifting and Arson	336	(2)
Reducing Property Crime	338	(3)
TARGET HARDENING: IS INCREASED SECURITY WORTH THE PRICE?	340	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	341	(1)
Key Terms	342	(1)
CHAPTER 12 WHITE-COLLAR CRIME	343	(36)
Defining White-Collar Crime	345	(4)
Edwin Sutherland and White-Collar Crime	346	(1)
Conceptual Problems in Defining White-Collar Crime	347	(1)
Contemporary Views	348	(1)
Occupational Crime: Lawbreaking for Personal Gain	349	(8)
Employee Theft: Pilferage and Embezzling	349	(2)
Collective Embezzlement in the Savings and Loan Industry	351	(1)
Fraud in the Professions	352	(1)
Health-Care Fraud	353	(3)
Financial Fraud	356	(1)
Police and Political Corruption: Violations of Public Trust	357	(1)
Organizational Criminality and Corporate Crime	357	(14)
Corporate Financial Crime	359	(3)
Corporate Violence: Threats to Health and Safety	362	(1)
DID TOBACCO COMPANIES LIE TO CONSUMERS?	363	(5)
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY "DUMPING" IN THE THIRD WORLD	368	(3)
The Economic and Human Costs of White-Collar Crime	371	(1)
Explaining White-Collar Crime	372	(4)
Reducing White-Collar Crime	376	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	376	(2)
Key Terms	378	(1)
CHAPTER 13 POLITICAL CRIME	379	(39)
Defining Political Crime	381	(2)
Crime by Government	383	(15)
Political Repression and Human Rights Violations	383	(3)
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN NIGERIA	386	(8)
Unethical or Illegal Experimentation	394	(1)
State-Corporate Crime	395	(1)
Political Corruption	396	(1)
DO RACE AND ETHNICITY AFFECT WHICH POLITICIANS ARE PROSECUTED FOR ETHICAL VIOLATIONS?	397	(1)
Hate Crime	398	(3)
Crime Against Government	401	(13)
Mass Political Violence: Rebellion, Riots, Terrorism	402	(6)
Civil Disobedience	408	(5)
Espionage and Treason	413	(1)
Explaining and Reducing Political Crime	414	(2)
The Social Patterning of Political Crime	414	(2)
Reducing Political Crime	416	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	416	(1)
Key Terms	417	(1)
CHAPTER 14 PUBLIC ORDER AND ORGANIZED CRIME	418	(40)
Overview of the Public Order Crime Debate	420	(1)
Illegal Drug Use	421	(18)
Drug Use in History	422	(1)
Contemporary U.S. Drug Use	423	(4)
Explaining Illegal Drug Use	427	(3)
The Drugs-Crime Connection	430	(3)
The Legalization Debate	433	(6)
Sexual Offenses: Prostitution and Pornography	439	(9)
Prostitution	439	(3)
Pornography	442	(2)
SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALIZED?	444	(4)
Gambling	448	(2)
Organized Crime	450	(5)
History of Organized Crime	450	(3)
The Alien Conspiracy Model and Myth	453	(1)
THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF PUBLIC ORDER AND ORGANIZED CRIME	454	(1)
Reducing Public Order and Organized Crime	455	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	457	(1)
Key Terms	457	(1)
PART IV CONTROLLING AND PREVENTING CRIME	458	(89)
CHAPTER 15 POLICING: DILEMMAS OF CRIME CONTROL IN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY	458	(37)
Crime Control in a Democratic Society	460	(2)
The Ideal of Blind Justice	462	(1)
A Preview of the Discussion	462	(1)
The Development of the Modern Police Force	463	(2)
Working Personality and Police Behavior	465	(8)
Police Misconduct: Brutality	467	(5)
Police Misconduct: Corruption	472	(1)
Police Discretion: To Arrest or Not to Arrest?	473	(9)
POLICE AND POLICING IN JAPAN	474	(1)
Race, Ethnicity, and Arrest	475	(5)
Gender and Arrest	480	(2)
The Impact of Policing on Crime	482	(9)
Do Additional Police Deter Crime?	483	(1)
Does Arrest Make a Difference?	484	(2)
THE 1990S DROP IN URBAN CRIME: A RESULT OF "ZERO-TOLERANCE" POLICING?	486	(3)
Community Policing: Real Promise or False Hope?	489	(1)
Legal Technicalities and Police Effectiveness	489	(1)
The Impact of Policing on Crime Revisited	490	(1)
Women and People of Color in Police Forces	491	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	493	(1)
Key Terms	494	(1)
CHAPTER 16 PROSECUTION AND PUNISHMENT	495	(36)
Criminal Courts and the Adversary System	497	(4)
Prosecutors, the Courtroom Work Group, and Plea Bargaining	499	(2)
Punishment, Social Structure, and Inequality	501	(18)
Social Class and Legal Outcomes	503	(2)
The Impact of Race and Ethnicity	505	(5)
PUNISHING CRIMINALS IN DENMARK AND THE NETHERLANDS	510	(7)
Gender and Sentencing	517	(2)
The Impact of Punishment on Crime	519	(4)
"THREE STRIKES AND YOU'RE OUT" LEGISLATION	520	(2)
The Evidence Against a Deterrent Effect	522	(1)
The Death Penalty Debate	523	(6)
The Cost of the Death Penalty versus the Cost of Life Sentences	525	(1)
General Deterrence and the Death Penalty	525	(1)
Arbitrariness and Racial Discrimination in the Death Penalty's Application	526	(2)
The Quality of Legal Representation of Capital Defendants	528	(1)
Wrongful Executions	529	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	529	(1)
Key Terms	530	(1)
CHAPTER 17 CONCLUSION: HOW CAN WE REDUCE CRIME?	531	(16)
The Criminal Justice System "Funnel"	533	(3)
A Sociological Prescription for Crime Reduction	536	(10)
A. Social, Cultural, and Community Crime Prevention (Primary Prevention)	537	(3)
B. Developmental Crime Prevention (Secondary Prevention)	540	(1)
C. Criminal Justice Approaches (Tertiary Prevention)	541	(5)
Summary and Conclusion	546	(1)
Key Terms	546	(1)
Glossary	547	(9)
References	556	(48)
Photo Acknowledgments	604	(1)
Name Index	605	(10)
Subject Index	615