Vold's Theoretical Criminology, Sixth Edition, presents the most precise, up-to-date, and comprehensive overview of criminological theory available, building on the foundation of George B. Vold's Theoretical Criminology, which paved the way for a generation of criminological theorists.

Coupled with new, student-friendly features, the sixth edition includes expanded discussions of: empirical research within specific theories; the "biosocial" approach; theoretical explanations for gendered differences in crime; low self-control and the general theory of crime; Control Balance Theory; and General Strain Theory. In addition, the text covers such new topical areas as Lonnie Athens's Theory of "Violentization;" Agnew's General Theory; Zimbardo's "Lucifer Effect;" the Cambridge Youth Violence Study; and Coercion and Social Support. Offering improved pedagogy --including new key terms lists and end-of-chapter discussion questions--this new edition also presents additional material on policy implications.

1. Theory and Crime

Spiritual Explanations

Natural Explanations

Scientific Theories

Causation in Scientific Theories

Three Frames of Reference

Relationships among the Three Frames of Reference

2. Classical Criminology

The Social and Intellectual Background of Classical Criminology

Beccaria and the Classical School

From Classical Theory to Deterrence Research

Three Types of Deterrence Research

Rational Choice and Offending

Routine Activities and Victimization

Conclusions

3. Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Background: Physical Appearance and Defectiveness

Lombroso, the "Born Criminal" and Positivist Criminology

Goring's Refutation of the "Born Criminal"

Body Type Theories

Family Studies

Twin and Adoption Studies

Neurotransmitters

Hormones

The Central Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System

Environmentally Induced Biological Components of Behavior

Implications and Conclusions

4. Psychological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Intelligence and Crime: Background Ideas and Concepts

IQ Tests and Criminal Behavior

Delinquency, Race, and IQ

Interpreting the Association Between Delinquency and IQ

Personality and Criminal Behavior

Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder

Clinical Prediction of Future Dangerousness

Actuarial Prediction of Later Crime and Delinquency

Depression and Delinquency

Impulsivity and Crime

Policy Implications of Personality Research

Conclusions

5. Crime and Poverty

Historical Background: Guerry and Quetelet

Research on Crime and Poverty: Contradictions and Disagreements

Crime and Unemployment: A Detailed Look at Research

Problems Interpreting Research on Crime and Economic Conditions

Implications and Conclusions

6. Durkheim, Anomie, and Modernization

Emile Durkheim

Crime as Normal in Mechanical Societies

Anomie as a Pathological State in Organic Societies

Durkheim's Theory of Crime

Conclusion

7. Neighborhoods and Crime

The Theory of Human Ecology

Research in the "Delinquency Areas" of Chicago

Policy Implications

Residential Succession, Social Disorganization, and Crime

Sampson's Theory of Collective Efficacy

Expanding Interest in Neighborhood Social Processes

Implications and Conclusions

8. Strain Theories

Robert K. Merton and Anomie in American Society

Strain as the Explanation of Gang Delinquency

1960s Strain-Based Policies

The Decline and Resurgence of Strain Theories

Strain in Individuals

Strain in Societies

Conclusion

9. Learning Theories

Basic Psychological Approaches to Learning

Sutherland's Differential Association Theory

Research Testing Sutherland's Theory

The Content of Learning: Cultural and Subcultural Theories

The Learning Process: Social Learning Theory

Athens's Theory of "Violentization"

Implications

Conclusions

10. Control Theories

Early Control Theories: Reiss to Nye

Matza's Delinquency and Drift

Hirschi's Social Control Theory

Assessing Social Control Theory

Gottfredson and Hirschi's A General Theory of Crime

Assessing Gottfredson and Hirschi's General Theory

Implications and Conclusions

11. The Meaning of Crime

The Meaning of Crime to the Self: Labeling Theory

The Meaning of Crime to the Criminal: Katz's Seductions of Crime

The Situational Meaning of Crime: Zimbardo's Lucifer Effect

The Meaning of Crime to the Larger Society: Deviance and Social Reaction

State Power and the Meaning of Crime: Controlology

Implications and Conclusions

12. Conflict Criminology

Early Conflict Theories: Sellin and Vold

Conflict Theories in a Time of Conflict: Turk, Quinney, and Chambliss and Seidman

Black's Theory of the Behavior of Law

A Unified Conflict Theory of Crime

Testing Conflict Theory

Implications and Conclusions

13. Marxism and Postmodern Criminology

Overview of Marx's Theory

Marx on Crime, Criminal Law, and Criminal Justice

The Emergence of Marxist Criminology

Marxist Theory and Research on Crime

Overview of Postmodernism

Postmodern Criminology

Conclusion

14. Gender and Crime

The Development of Feminist Criminology

Schools of Feminist Criminology

Gender in Criminology

Why Are Women's Crime Rates So Low?

Why Are Men's Crime Rates So High?

Conclusions

15. Developmental Theories

The Great Debate: Criminal Careers, Longitudinal Research, and the Relationship Between Age and Crime

Criminal Propensity vs. Criminal Career

The Transition to Developmental Criminology

Three Developmental Directions

Thornberry's Interactional Theory

Sampson and Laub's Age-Graded Theory of Informal Social Control

Tremblay's Developmental Origins of Physical Aggression

Conclusions

16. Integrated Theories

Elliott's Integrated Theory of Delinquency and Drug Use

The Falsification vs. Integration Debate

Braithwaite's Theory of Reintegrative Shaming

Tittle's Control Balance Theory

Coercion and Social Support

Bernard and Snipes's Approach to Integrating Criminology Theories

Agnew's General Theory

Conclusion

17. Assessing Criminology Theories

Science, Theory, Research, and Policy

Individual Difference Theories

Structure/Process Theories

Theories of the Behavior of Criminal Law

Conclusion

Index

 

Thomas J. Bernard – Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice, The Pennsylvania State University

Jeffrey B. Snipes – Associate Professor, Criminal Justice Studies, San Francisco State University

Alexander L. Gerould – Lecturer, Criminal Justice Studies Department, San Francisco State University

 

The late George B. Vold was Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.

"When teaching criminology, I seek to provide sophisticated accounts of a wide range of theoretical perspectives coupled with a selection of the best empirical research on the key issues important to the field. Over the years, I continue to find that Theoretical Criminology is the book that best fits my teaching goals. It is an excellent teaching tool and its breadth and depth of coverage is unparalleled. I highly recommend this book for advanced undergraduates as well as graduate students."--John H. Laub, University of Maryland, College Park

"I have been impressed with the previous editions of this highly regarded textbook, and the new, updated edition continues that fine tradition. The reviews of theoretical approaches and associated research are consistently comprehensive, balanced, and highly readable. The book excels at two levels: it works well in the classroom, and it serves as a valuable resource for the professional criminologist."--Steven F. Messner, University at Albany, State University of New York

"Vold's Theoretical Criminology is the classic text on criminological theory, providing an exceptional overview of the development of crime theories and a comprehensive examination of every major theory, including the many theories developed in recent years. Further, the book makes a theoretical contribution itself, through its insightful discussion of crime theories. This is an excellent text for any course on criminological theory."--Robert Agnew, Emory University

"The sixth edition of Vold's Theoretical Criminology demonstrates why this text is among the most complete and important overviews of criminological theories for students and faculty alike. It is the book from which I learned about theories of crime as an undergraduate student; the book that I turned to for a more advanced understanding and dissection of criminological theory as a graduate student; the book I suggest all of my graduate students read in order to learn about theory; and it has continued to be a key reading throughout my career as a faculty member. While theories of crime undergo change, it is comforting to know that Vold's Theoretical Criminology remains a pillar of continuity in its treatment of the origins of crime."--Alex R. Piquero, University of Maryland, College Park