Full Description
Visual techniques for applying criminological theory to social science research
Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and Understanding is an accessible and user-friendly criminological theory text for students, instructors and researchers. In addition to the unique use of concept maps, mind maps, and other visual techniques to consider theory-based inquiry, this text combines an exploration of the core elements of theory with relevant examples drawn from biology, psychology, sociology, critical traditions, and integrative efforts. Unlike in other theory texts, the chapters are arranged by level of explanation to help students understand how theories from different disciplines interact with each other as a foundation for many contemporary criminological theories.
Authors Jon Heidt and Johannes Wheeldon have developed a seven-step model to identify key aspects of different theories including their historical and social context, base assumptions, scope, problem foci, terms/concepts, related research, and practical ramifications. This text offers both a student-friendly theoretical discussion and accessible visual examples to explain criminological theory and its applicability to social science research.
Contents
PART I: Introduction to Criminological Thinking
CHAPTER 1: Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping
What is Criminological Thinking? What is Criminological Theory?
Visual Techniques and Criminological Theory
Seven Steps to Understanding Criminological Thinking
Major Orientations and Organization of the Book
CHAPTER 2: The Seven-Step Model and Early Explanations of Criminality
The Seven Steps to Understanding Criminological Thinking
A Research Example: Classical Criminology and Deterrence Theory
PART II: Individual Difference Theories
CHAPTER 3: Biological Positivist Theories
The Biological Positivist Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Practical Ramifications of Biological Positivism: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?
Criticisms of Biological Positivist Theories
Research Example: Rethinking Biology and the Brain
CHAPTER 4: Psychological Positivist Theories
The Psychological Positivist Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Psychological Positivism
Research Example: Mental Illness and Crime
PART III: Process Theories
CHAPTER 5: Psychological Process Theories
The Psychological Process Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Psychological Process Theories
Research Examples: The Stanford Prison Experiment, Milgram in Liberia, and Police Legitimacy
CHAPTER 6: Differential Association and Social Learning Theories
The Differential Association and Social Learning Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Social Learning Theory
Research Example: Meta-Analysis and Social Learning Theory
CHAPTER 7: Control Theories
The Control Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Control Theories: The Complexity of Causation
Research Example: Social Bonding Theory through Life Histories
CHAPTER 8: Labeling Theories
The Labeling Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Labeling Theories
Research Example: Saints, Roughnecks, Labels, and Arrests
PART IV: Structural Theories
CHAPTER 9: Social Disorganization Theories
The Social Disorganization Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Social Disorganization Theories
Research Example: Disorganization, Community, and Mixed Methods
CHAPTER 10: Social Strain and Anomie Theories
The Social Strain and Anomie Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Social Strain and Anomie Theories
Research Example: Measuring Social Strain
PART V: Theories of Crime and Criminal Justice
CHAPTER 11: Conflict Theories
The Conflict Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Conflict Theories
Research Example: Restorative Justice as a Practical Critique of the Criminal Justice System
CHAPTER 12: Rational Choice Theories
The Rational Choice Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Rational Choice Theories
Research Example: Hot Spots, Displacement, and Crime
PART VI: Integration in Criminology
CHAPTER 13: Integrated and General Theories
The Integrative Impulse in Criminology
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Integrated and General Theories
Research Example: General Strain and Social Support
CHAPTER 14: Biosocial Theories
The Biosocial Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Biosocial Theories
Research Example: The Lead-Crime Connection
CHAPTER 15: Developmental and Life Course Theories
The Developmental and Life Course Tradition
Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking
Criticisms of Developmental and Life Course Theories
Research Example: Crime and the Life Course
CHAPTER 16: Conclusion
New Directions in Criminological Theory
Toward an Analysis of Criminological Theories
