Criminological Theory: The Essentials, Third Edition
By Stephen G. Tibbetts
Detailed Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Book: An Overview of Issues in
Criminological Theory
What Is Criminology, and How Does It Differ from Other
Examinations of Crime?
What Is Theory?
What Is Crime?
How Are Criminological Theories Classified? The Major
Theoretical Paradigms
Additional Ways to Classify Criminological Theories
Characteristics of Good Theories
Criteria for Determining Causality
Measures of Crime
The Uniform Crime Report
The National Crime Victimization Survey
Self-Report Studies of Crime
What Do the Measures of Crime Show regarding the
Distribution of Crime?
Rates of Crime
Regional and City Differences
Rates of Crime according to Time of Day and Time of Year
Rates of Crime according to Age and Gender
Rates of Crime according to Population Density
Rates of Crime according to Race or Ethnicity
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 2. Preclassical and Classical Theories of Crime
Preclassical Perspectives of Crime and Punishment
The Age of Enlightenment
The Classical School of Criminology
Influences on Beccaria and His Writings
Beccaria’s Proposed Reforms and Ideas of Justice
Beccaria’s Ideas regarding the Death Penalty
Beccaria’s Concept of Deterrence and the Three Key
Elements of Punishment
Beccaria’s Conceptualization of Specific and General
Deterrence
A Summary of Beccaria’s Ideas and His Influence on Policy
The Impact of Beccaria’s Work on Other Theorists
The Neoclassical School of Criminology
Loss of Dominance of Classical and Neoclassical Theory
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 3. Modern Applications of the Classical Perspective:
Deterrence, Rational Choice, and Routine Activities or Lifestyle
Theories of Crime
The Rebirth of Deterrence Theory and Contemporary Research
Rational Choice Theory
Routine Activities Theory
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 4. Early Positive School Perspectives of Criminality
Lombroso’s Theory of Atavism and Born Criminals
Lombroso’s Theory of Crime
Lombroso’s List of Stigmata
Lombroso as the Father of Criminology and the Father of the
Positive School
Lombroso’s Policy Implications
The IQ Testing Era
Body Type Theory: Sheldon’s Model of Somatotyping
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 5. Modern Biosocial Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
Nature versus Nurture: Studies Examining the Influence of
Genetics and Environment
Family Studies
Twin Studies
Adoption Studies
Twins Separated at Birth
Cytogenetic Studies: The XYY Factor
Hormones and Neurotransmitters: Chemicals That Determine
Criminal Behavior
Brain Injuries
Central and Autonomic Nervous System Activity
Biosocial Approaches to Explaining Criminal Behavior
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 6. Early Social Structure and Strain Theories of Crime
Early Theories of Social Structure: Early to Mid-1800s
Auguste Comte
André-Michel Guerry and Adolphe Quetelet
Durkheim and the Concept of Anomie
Strain Theories
Merton’s Strain Theory
Cultural Context and Assumptions of Strain Theory
Variations of Merton’s Strain Theory: Cohen’s Model and
Cloward and Ohlin’s Theory
General Strain Theory
Summary of Strain Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 7. The Chicago School and Cultural and Subcultural
Theories of Crime
The Ecological School and the Chicago School of Criminology
Cultural Context: Chicago in the 1800s and Early 1900s
Ecological Principles in City Growth and Concentric Circles
Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Social Disorganization
Reaction and Research on Social Disorganization Theory
Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime
Early Theoretical Developments and Research in Cultural and
Subcultural Theory
Criticisms of Cultural Theories of Crime
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 8. Social Process and Learning Theories of Crime
Learning Theories
Differential Association Theory
Differential Identification Theory
Differential Reinforcement Theory
Neutralization Theory
Summary of Learning Theories
Control Theories
Early Control Theories of Human Behavior
Early Control Theories of Crime
Modern Social Control Theories
Integrated Social Control Theories
A General Theory of Crime: Low Self-Control
Summary of Control Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 9. Social Reaction and Critical Models of Crime
Labeling and Social Reaction Theory
Marxist Theories of Crime
Evidence regarding Marxist Theories of Crime
Conflict Theories of Crime
Evidence regarding Conflict Theories of Crime
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 10. Feminist Models of Crime
Feminist Theories of Crime
Key Terms in the Feminist Perspective
Key Issues in Research on Gender Differences in Offending
Types of Feminism
Evidence regarding Feminist Theories of Crime
Critiques of Feminist Theories
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 11. Life-Course Perspectives of Criminality
Developmental Theories
Antidevelopmental Theory: Low Self-Control Theory
Sampson and Laub’s Developmental Model
Moffitt’s Developmental Taxonomy
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Chapter 12. Integrated Theoretical Models and New Perspectives
of Crime
Integrated Theories
The Need for Integrated Theories in Criminology
Different Forms of Integrated Theories
Levels of Analysis of Integrated Theories
Additional Considerations regarding Types of Integration
Criticisms and Weaknesses of Integrated Theories
Examples of Integrated Criminological Theory
Policy Implications
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Web Resources
Glossary
Index