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Criminological Theory
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Criminological Theory
The Essentials

Second Edition


October 2014 | 280 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Criminological Theory: The Essentials, Second Edition is a brief, yet comprehensive overview of history's most renowned criminologists and their theories. Renowned author, Stephen G. Tibbetts, combines policy implications brought about by theoretical perspectives that have developed from recent critical work with practical applications to compel the reader to apply theories to the contemporary social milieu. The Second Edition includes new citations and references regarding empirical studies that have examined the validity of various theoretical models and propositions in recent years. The text is ideal for introductory criminology courses covering criminological theory.
 
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

 
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?

 
The Baby-Boom Effect

 
Regional and City Differences in Rates of Crime

 
Race/Ethnicity Rates of Crime

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 2: Pre-Classical and Classical Theories of Crime
Pre-Classical Perspectives of Crime and Punishment

 
The Age of Enlightenment

 
The Classical School of Criminology

 
The NeoClassical School of Criminology

 
Loss of Dominance of Classical/Neoclassical Theory

 
Policy Implications of Classical Deterrence Theory

 
 
CHAPTER 3: Modern Applications of the Classical Perspective: Deterrence, Rational Choice, and Routine Activities or Lifestyle Theories of Crime
Rebirth of Deterrence Theory and Contemporary Research

 
Rational Choice Theory

 
Routine Activities Theory

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 4: Early Positive School Perspectives of Criminality
Lombroso’s Theory of Atavism and Born Criminals

 
The IQ Testing Era

 
Body Type Theory: Sheldon’s Model of Somatotyping

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 5: Modern Biosocial Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
Nature Versus Nurture: Studies Examining the Influence of Genetics and Environment

 
Cytogenetic Studies: The XYY Factor

 
Hormones and Neurotransmitters: Chemicals That Determine Criminal Behavior

 
Brain Injuries

 
Central and Autonomic Nervous System Activity

 
Biosocial Approaches Toward Explaining Criminal Behavior

 
 
CHAPTER 6: Early Social Structure and Strain Theories of Crime
Early Theories of Social Structure: Early to Mid-1800s

 
Strain Theories

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 7: The Chicago School and Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime
The School of Ecology and the Chicago School of Criminology

 
Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 8: Social Process and Learning Theories of Crime
Learning Theories

 
Control Theories

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 9.: Social Reaction, Critical, and Feminist Models of Crime
Labeling/Social Reaction Theory

 
Marxist Theories of Crime

 
Conflict Theories of Crime

 
Feminist Theories of Crime

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 10: Life-Course Perspectives of Criminality
Developmental Theories

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 11: Integrated Theoretical Models and New Perspectives of Crime
Integrated Theories

 
Policy Implications

 
 
CHAPTER 12: Applying Criminological Theory to Policy
Policy Applications Derived From the Classical School: Deterrence Theory

 
Policy Applications Derived From Biosocial Theories

 
Policy Applications Derived From Social Structure Theories

 
Policy Applications Derived From Social Process Theories

 
Policy Applications Derived From Social Reaction and Conflict Theories

 
Policy Applications Derived From Integrated and Developmental Theories

 
 
Glossary

Supplements

Student Study Site

The open-access Student Study Site includes the following:

  • Mobile-friendly eFlashcards reinforce understanding of key terms and concepts that have been outlined in the chapters.
  • Mobile-friendly web quizzes allow for independent assessment of progress made in learning course material.
  • EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter. This feature also provides questions to focus and guide student interpretation. Combine cutting-edge academic journal scholarship with the topics in your course for a robust classroom experience.
  • Web resources are included for further research and insights.
Instructor Resource Site

The password-protected Instructor Resource Site includes the following:

·  A Microsoft® Word® test bank is available containing multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions for each chapter. The test bank provides you with a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity for editing any question and/or inserting your own personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding.

·  A Respondus electronic test bank is available and can be used on PCs. The test bank contains multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions for each chapter and provides you with a diverse range of pre-written options as well as the opportunity for editing any question and/or inserting your own personalized questions to effectively assess students’ progress and understanding. Respondus is also compatible with many popular learning management systems so you can easily get your test questions into your online course.

·  Editable, chapter-specific Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides offer you complete flexibility in easily creating a multimedia presentation for your course. Highlight essential content, features, and artwork from the book.

·   Lecture notes summarize key concepts on a chapter-by-chapter basis to help with preparation for lectures and class discussions.

·  Sample course syllabi for semester and quarter courses provide suggested models for use when creating the syllabi for your courses.

·  EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter. This feature also provides questions to focus and guide student interpretation. Combine cutting-edge academic journal scholarship with the topics in your course for a robust classroom experience.

·  Web resources are included for further research and insights.

Tibbets has a contemporary approach and writes in an easy to understand style that facilitates learning to new foundation degree learners who are often daunted by academic reading. this book is ideal to introductory criminology modules and I shall be adding this title to the recommended reading lists.

Mr Mark Jagus
Interdiscipline , Derby College
October 20, 2015

I used a previous edition and the book is easy for students to understand and use.

Dr Kimberly Dawn Dodson
Law Enforce Justice Adm Dept, Western Illinois University
July 25, 2015

This is a useful book that covers the essential criminological theories in a clear, succinct and critical fashion.

Mr Aliraza Javaid
School of Social, Psychological & Comm, Leeds Beckett University
March 10, 2015

This is a very useful book for students new to criminological theory as it introduced complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner.

Dr Lisa Sugiura
Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, Southampton University
January 15, 2015

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 3

Chapter 8


Stephen George Tibbetts

Stephen G. Tibbetts, currently a Professor at California State University, San Bernardino, has been pursuing an understanding of criminal offending for over the past two decades. He has attempted to discover the extent to which individuals’ inherent dispositions and attitudinal traits contribute to their offending decisions, especially in relation to other factors, such as demographic, developmental, and situational factors. Dr. Tibbetts’ research has included work on the differences between men and women in their decisions to commit deviant behavior, as well as their perceptions of risk and consequences of getting caught. His... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781483359526
$85.00