Description

For courses in Introduction to Criminology and Crime and Society.

Taking a sociological perspective, this book offers award-winning coverage of criminology and highlights issues of race, ethnicity, gender and social class throughout. Designed in a four-color format, this edition includes a new chapter on classical and neoclassical theories, over 160 recent references and unique chapters on political crime and public opinion, crime and the media. Moving beyond simple “get tough” approaches, the book emphasizes the need to understand social causes of criminal behavior in order to significantly reduce it.

Features

For courses in Introduction to Criminology and Crime and Society.

Taking a sociological perspective, this book offers award-winning coverage of criminology and highlights issues of race, ethnicity, gender and social class throughout. Designed in a four-color format, this edition includes a new chapter on classical and neoclassical theories, over 160 recent references and unique chapters on political crime and public opinion, crime and the media. Moving beyond simple “get tough” approaches, the book emphasizes the need to understand social causes of criminal behavior in order to significantly reduce it.

Hallmark Features

A sociological perspective–makes this text unique.

• Emphasizes social structure and social inequality.
• Highlights issues of race and ethnicity; gender; and social class in every chapter.

Strong coverage of theories of crime–see Part II.

• Outlines various theories and underlying causes of crime.

Award-winning coverage–features topics not covered in other introductory criminology texts.

• Explores the relationship between media, public opinion and crime (ch. 2).
• Devotes a chapter to political crime (ch. 14).

A capstone chapter on how to reduce crime–see Chapter 18.

• Outlines primary, secondary and tertiary approaches to crime prevention and reduction.

Crime in the News vignettes–begin each chapter.

• Features 2010 headlines that engage students and demonstrate how text concepts relate to real world events.

What Would You Do? exercises–end each chapter.

• Presents hypothetical scenarios on real-world situations faced by both criminal justice professionals and average citizens.

New to this Edition

New! Fully revised to include the latest on:

• Views on police use of force
• Neighors and indirect crime victimization
• Crime victims’ views of crime and justice
• Molecular genetics research on aggression
• The biosocial perspective
• Differential opportunity theory
• Violence against children
• Residential burglary victimization
• Consumer sentiment and property crime
• Situational crime prevention
• Bernard Madoff
• Directed police patrol
• Zero-tolerance policing and more!

New! Chapter 5: Classical and Neoclassical Perspectives—appears in this edition.

• Introduces students to classical, rational choice, deterrence, and routine activities theories.

Revised! Updated statistics and more than 160 recent references—have been added to this edition.

• Discusses the latest research on crime and criminal justice issues through 2010.

Revised! Crime and Controversy and International Focus boxes—have been updated in this edition.

• Highlights crime and justice issues within the United States and abroad.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: UNDERSTANDING CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION

1.    Criminology and the Sociological Perspective

2.    Public Opinion, the New Media, and the Crime Problem

3.    The Measurement and Patterning of Criminal Behavior

4.    Victims and Victimization

 

PART TWO: EXPLAINING CRIME

5.    Classical and Neoclassical Perspectives

6.    Biological and Psychological Explanations

7.    Sociological Theories: Emphasis on Social Structure

8.    Sociological Theories: Emphasis on Social Process

9.    Sociological Theories: Critical Perspectives

 

PART THREE: CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS

10.  Violent Crime: Homicide, Assault, and Robbery

11.  Violence Against Women

12.  Property and Crime Fraud

13.  White-Collar and Organized Crime

14.  Political Crime

15.  Consensual Crime

 

PART FOUR: CONTROLLING AND PREVENTING CRIME

18.  Conclusion: How Can We Reduce Crime?