Synopses & Reviews
This fourth edition of
Theoretical Criminology, the standard text and reference in its field, has been extensively revised and completely updated. New sections include material on neurotransmitters, environmentally induced biological components of behavior, impulsiveness and crime, neighborhoods as causes of crime, situational contexts of crime, the decline and resurgence of strain theories, and control-ology. The text also examines Gottfredson and Hirsch's General Theory of Crime, Katz's Seductions of Crime, Hagan's Structural Criminology, and Black's Behavior of Law, as well as postmodern criminology and feminist criminology. A new chapter on developmental criminology discusses criminal careers, longitudinal research, the relationship between age and crime, Thornberry's interactional theory, and Sampson and Laub's age-graded theory of informal social control. A second new chapter on integrated theories discusses recent efforts by Elliott et al., Braithwaite, Tittle, Vila, and Bernard and Snipes.
The text presents each type of theory accurately and comprehensively within its historical context. Relevant empirical research is reviewed and assessed, and research issues related to theory testing are also discussed. The writing style is lively and readable, designed to appeal to students at all levels. Offering the most accurate, clear, and comprehensive presentation of criminology theories, Theoretical Criminology continues to retain its premier position in the field of criminology, a position it has held for almost 40 years.
Review
"Vold and Bernard have combined to provide a thorough presentation of the major theories that have inspired criminologists to explain criminal behavior. Vold's initial effort set a firm foundation on which Bernard has fine tuned and modernizxed the material for today's reader."-Anthony W. Zumpetta,
West Chester UniversityReview
Praise for the previous edition
"Best criminology text in the field. If you are seeking a well-written text which is easy to lecture from and keeps the students' interest, this is it!"--Christopher Kuch, Gannon University
"A clearly written, succinct, and very well-focused text for undergraduates. Accessible and covers a range of theoretical materials."--Pietro Toggia, Kutztown University
"A superb book that provides an excellent overview of criminological theories and is a must-read for those interested in criminological theory."--John M. MacDonald, University of South Carolina
"Any textbook that can survive the market for 32 years has truly earned the coveted title of 'classic'. Vold and Bernard have combined to provide a thorough presentation of the major theories that have inspired criminologists to explain criminal behavior. Vold's initial effort set a firm foundation on which Bernard has fine tuned and modernized the material for today's reader."-Anthony W. Zumpetta, West Chester University
Synopsis
Theoretical Criminology, the standard text in its field, has been extensively revised and completely updated. The fifth edition offers new sections on causation in scientific theories, Sampson's theory of collective efficacy, and Anderson's "code of the street." A new chapter on contemporary classicism includes sections on deterrence theory and research, routine activities theory, and rational choice theory. Also included is a new chapter that examines the role of gender in criminology theories, covering feminist criminology and theories of masculinity and crime. Each theory is presented accurately and comprehensively within its historical context. Relevant empirical research is reviewed and assessed, and research issues related to theory testing are also discussed. Lively and engaging, this new edition is designed to appeal to students at all levels. Offering the most precise, clear, and thorough presentation of criminology theories, Theoretical Criminology retains its premier position in the field of criminology.
About the Author
The late George B. Vold was a Professor at the University of Minnesota from 1937 until his retirement in 1964. Vold, a renowned scholar, is the author of
Prediction Methods and Parole (1931),
Survey of Police Training (1937), and
Man and Society (1937).
Thomas J. Bernard is Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology at Pennsylvania State University. He is the author of The Consensus-Conflict Debate (1983) and The Cycle of Juvenile Justice (1992).
Jeffrey B. Snipes is Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University. His articles have appeared in Criminology, Crime and Justice, Law and Society Review, Social Forces, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, and American Journal of Criminal Justice.
Table of Contents
' 1. Theory and Crime
2. Classical Criminology
3. Positivist Criminology
4. Theories Related to Physical Appearance
5. Theories Related to Intellegence
6. Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior
7. The Personality of the Offender
8. Crime and Economic Conditions
9. Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization
10. The Ecology of Crime
11. Strain Theories
12. Learning Theories
13. Control Theories
14. The Meaning of Crime
15. Conflict Criminology
16. Critical Criminology
17. Developmental Criminology
18. Integrated Theories
19. Asssessing Criminology Theory
'