Crime and criminology

About This Book

The book identifies basic approaches within criminology - including classical, biological and psychological positivist, strain, labelling, Marxist, feminist, republican, Left Realist, New Right and critical - and discusses the specific terms and concepts used within each tradition. The strengths and weaknesses of each perspective, and its contribution to the field as a whole, are also critically discussed. In its survey of the major perspectives on the causes of crime, the book reviews the contributions made by European, North American, British and Australian scholars to the understanding of crime. An important aspect of the book is the way in which it discusses the social context of each theoretical development, highlights basic concepts, and gives both historical and contemporary examples of each approach. Designed to provide a clear and concise introduction to criminological concepts and explanations, Crime and Criminology will be of special interest to criminology, sociology and law students.