Evolutions in Criminological Theory

Have you ever wondered why people commit crime? What about how the commonly held explanations for why people commit crime came to be?

From the Enlightenment Era, to current day, Evolutions in Criminological Theory provides a guide, and acts as a reference, for theories of crime and criminality. Each chapter opens with a historical context explaining historical themes and events that inspired the works of notable theorists and contributors in the fields of sociology, criminology, and criminal justice. Such theories essentially guide criminal justice practice, which has most recently become shrouded in ongoing debate.

Throughout this text, the main schools of criminological thought are discussed, including the Classical School, the Positivist School, the Psychological School, the Chicago School, social-structural theories, social process theories, the Neo-Classical School, conflict theories, radical theories, critical theories, biosocial theories, and the Feminist School. Within each school of thought, foundational and emerging theorists and contributors are examined, revealing how past and current works co-mingle to explain the root causes of crime and subsequent pathways to alleviate criminality.

In addressing the formation of and new avenues in criminological theory, and outlining the primary components of such theories, this text helps the lay reader, undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and practitioners more easily and comprehensively understand and remind themselves of the theories utilized in explaining and combatting crime.