NCJ Number
49952
Date Published
1967
Length
469 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXAMINES SOCIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS THAT CAN COMBINE TO CREATE CRIMINOGENIC SITUATIONS; IT IS INTENDED FOR CRIMINOLOGISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, EDUCATORS, LAWMAKERS, AND POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.
Abstract
THE STUDY FOCUSES ON THE CONTROLLABLE FACTORS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. HISTORICAL THEORIES OF BIOLOGICAL CRIME CAUSES ARE REVIEWED WITH REFERENCE TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD. IT IS STATED THAT CRIME IS THE PRODUCT OF GROUPS OF INTERACTING FORCES INCLUDING THE ASSIMILATIVE AND DISSIMILATIVE ENERGIES WHICH ARE THE TOTAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S HEREDITARY CONSTITUTION AND THE SUM OF FORCES WHICH AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL. IT IS BELIEVED THAT CRIME IS MOSTLY THE RESULT OF GROUP CONFLICTS. THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS ARE CONSIDERED: (1) CONSTITUTIONAL FACTORS WHICH INCLUDE PHYSIQUE, LIFE-SPAN, PHYSICAL TRAITS (I.E., RED HAIR, DEAFNESS), PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES, AND MENTAL DISORDERS; (2) SOCIOBIOLOGICAL FACTORS IN REFERENCE TO PROTECTIVE GROUPS (I.E., JUVENILE GANGS), TRANSITION CRISES (E.G., MIGRATION), OCCUPATION, AND RELIGION; (3) GEOPHYSICS IN TERMS OF DELINQUENCY AND FACTORS SUCH AS CLIMATE, TIME OF DAY, AND LYNCHING PERIODICITIES; AND (4) VICTIMIZATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE VICTIM OF A CRIME IS ONE OF ITS DETERMINANTS. NEW METHODS OF TREATMENT AND CONTROL AND FUTURE RESEARCH ARE SUGGESTED. TABULAR DATA, FOOTNOTES, A SUBJECT INDEX, AND AN AUTHOR INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (JCP)