Criminological Theory : A Brief Introduction

by Miller, J. Mitchell; Schreck, Christopher J.; Tewksbury, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780205389032
• ISBN10: 0205389031
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This introductory primer on criminological theory provides an accessible discussion of the major theories of crime, delinquency, social deviance, and social control with an objective and neutral approach. The various theories are covered in a systematic fashion. After providing a straightforward explanation of each theory's fundamental assumptions and concepts, along with example narratives drawn from both real-world current events and fictitious scenarios, major criticisms are addressed. The implications of each theory for criminal and juvenile justice strategies and policy (e.g., deterrence vs. rehabilitation, crime prevention, crime prediction) are also considered.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Theoretical Criminology: An Introductory Overview	1	(14)
The Origins and Evolution of Criminology	3	(2)
The Nature of Theory	5	(3)
Assessing Theory	8	(2)
The Influence of General Social Perspectives on Theories of Crime	10	(1)
The Role of Theory	11	(1)
Summary	12	(1)
Key Terms	12	(1)
Discussion Questions	13	(1)
References	13	(2)
Classical Theory in Criminology	15	(14)
Assumptions About Human Nature	17	(3)
How Deterrence Works	20	(6)
Summary	26	(1)
Key Terms	26	(1)
Discussion Questions	26	(1)
References	27	(2)
Biological Theories of Crime	29	(24)
The Positivist School of Thought	31	(1)
Physiognomy and Phrenology	31	(1)
Lombroso and Atavism	32	(3)
Genetic Theories	35	(5)
Body Type Theories	40	(2)
Recent Biological Theories	42	(4)
Conclusion	46	(2)
Summary	48	(1)
Key Terms	49	(1)
Discussion Questions	49	(1)
References	50	(3)
Psychological Theories of Crime	53	(18)
Psychoanalytic Theory	54	(3)
Personality Theories	57	(3)
Mental Illness	60	(4)
Schizophrenia	60	(1)
Antisocial Personality	61	(3)
Mental Deficiencies	64	(3)
Conclusion	67	(1)
Summary	68	(1)
Key Terms	68	(1)
Discussion Questions	69	(1)
References	69	(2)
The Social Ecology of Crime	71	(20)
Social Disorganization Theory	72	(9)
The Location of Crime	74	(2)
Social Disorganization and Its Causes	76	(2)
Empirical Support and Policy Implications	78	(2)
Criticisms of Social Disorganization Theory	80	(1)
Routine Activities Theory	81	(6)
The Necessary Requirements for Crime	81	(4)
The Role of Social Changes	85	(1)
Policy Implications	86	(1)
Empirical Research and Criticisms	87	(1)
Summary	87	(1)
Key Terms	88	(1)
Discussion Questions	89	(1)
References	89	(2)
Learning and Cultural Transmission Theories of Crime	91	(22)
Learning Theories	91	(1)
Sutherland's Differential Association Theory	92	(3)
Akers's Social Learning Theory	95	(2)
Cultural Transmission Theories	97	(12)
The Rise of the Subcultural Perspective	98	(1)
Cultural Norms and Legal Process	99	(1)
Cohen's Middle-Class Measuring Rod	100	(2)
Cloward and Ohlin's Gang Typology	102	(1)
Miller's Focal Concerns	103	(2)
The Demise of the Subcultural Perspective	105	(1)
Subcultures of Violence and the Rerise of the Cultural Perspective	106	(3)
Summary	109	(1)
Key Terms	109	(1)
Discussion Questions	110	(1)
References	110	(3)
Strain Theories of Crime	113	(18)
What Do Strain Theories Assume?	113	(1)
Merton's Strain Theory and Its Variants	114	(7)
The American Dream	114	(2)
The American Social Structure	116	(1)
Responses to Strain	117	(1)
Later Work on Merton's Theory	118	(2)
Empirical Support	120	(1)
Agnew's General Strain Theory	121	(4)
Types of Strain	122	(1)
Types of Coping	123	(1)
When Does Strain Lead to Delinquent Coping?	124	(1)
Empirical Support	125	(1)
Messner and Rosenfeld's Theory of Institutional Anomie	125	(3)
Summary	128	(1)
Key Terms	128	(1)
Discussion Questions	129	(1)
References	129	(2)
Control Theories of Crime	131	(18)
What Do Control Theories Assume About Human Nature?	131	(2)
Early Control Theories	133	(2)
Hirschi's Social Control Theory	135	(4)
Attachment	136	(1)
Commitment	136	(1)
Involvement	137	(1)
Belief	137	(1)
Empirical Testing	138	(1)
Self-Control Theory	139	(5)
Empirical Research and Criticisms of Self-Control Theory	143	(1)
Policy Implications of Control Theory	144	(1)
Summary	145	(1)
Key Terms	146	(1)
Discussion Questions	146	(1)
References	147	(2)
Theories of Social Conflict	149	(20)
The Conflict Perspective and Crime	180
The Marxist Heritage	151	(2)
Marxist Concepts	151	(1)
Orthodox Marxism	152	(1)
Structural Marxism	152	(1)
Labeling Theory	153	(3)
Marxist Criminology	156	(1)
White-Collar and State Crime	157	(1)
Left Realism	158	(1)
Cultural Criminology	159	(1)
The Social Construction of Crime, Postmodernism, and Constitutive Criminology	159	(2)
Feminist Criminology	161	(3)
Peacemaking Criminology and Restorative Justice	164	(1)
Summary	164	(1)
Key Terms	165	(1)
Discussion Questions	166	(1)
References	166	(3)
Evaluating and Integrating Theory	169	(14)
Evaluating Theory	170	(1)
Theory Competition	171	(4)
Theoretical Elaboration	175	(2)
Theoretical Integration	177	(2)
Summary	179	(1)
Key Terms	180	(1)
Discussion Questions	180	(1)
References	181	(2)
Index	183