A Primer on Crime and Delinquency Theory

by Bohm, Robert M.

• ISBN13: 9780534541583
• ISBN10: 0534541585
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-10-18
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This slim volume offers a comprehensive survey of the major criminological and delinquency theories including their philosophical foundations and policy implications. The text can be used as either a primary text or as a supplement for other texts, anthologies, or collections of journal articles.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
An Introduction to Theory	1	(10)
What is Theory?	1	(6)
Testing Theories	7	(1)
Why Is Theory Important, or Why Study Crime and Delinquency Theory?	8	(3)
Classical and Neoclassical Theory	11	(10)
Positivist Theories	21	(8)
Positive Philosophy	21	(2)
The Influence of Empirical or Experimental Science	23	(1)
Major Differences between Positivism and Classicism/Neoclassicism	24	(2)
General Problems with Positivist Theories	26	(3)
Biological Theories	29	(16)
Physiognomy	30	(1)
Phrenology	31	(1)
Criminal Anthropology	31	(3)
Body Type Theories	34	(1)
Heredity Studies	35	(2)
Modern Biocriminology	37	(2)
General Problems with Biological Theories	39	(6)
Psychological Theories	45	(20)
Intelligence and Crime	45	(5)
Psychoanalytic Theories	50	(6)
General Problems with Psychoanalytic Theories	56	(3)
Humanistic Psychological Theory	59	(6)
Sociological Theories	65	(38)
The Contributions of Durkheim	65	(2)
The Theory of the Chicago School	67	(7)
Functionalism	74	(2)
Anomie or Strain Theory	76	(6)
Learning Theories	82	(8)
Social Control Theories	90	(13)
Critical Theories	103	(30)
Interactionism and Labeling Theory	105	(4)
Conflict Theory	109	(4)
Radical Theory	113	(6)
Other Critical Theories	119	(14)
Conclusion: Integrated Theories and Beyond	133	(10)
References	143	(14)
Name Index	157	(4)
Subject Index	161