NCJ Number
44136
Date Published
1978
Length
429 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT TAKES A CRITICAL LOOK AT VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS OF CRIME: IT EXAMINES THE CLARITY OF CONCEPTS AND HYPOTHESES, THE EVIDENCE FOR A THEORY OF CRIME PRODUCTION, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF APPLYING A THEORY.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR PROBES INTO THE CONCEPT OF 'WRONG,' THE CONCERN WITH CRIME, AND THE DEFINITION OF CRIME. OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL PROCEDURES FOR COUNTING CRIME ARE EXAMINED. THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IS DISCUSSED. THE VARIOUS EXPLANATIONS OF CRIME FOCUS ON THE THEORIES OF RATIONAL CRIME, CRIME AND CONFLICT, STRUCTURES OF OPPORTUNITY, SUBCULTURES AND CRIME, DEFINITIONS OF SITUATIONS OF CRIME (DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND SOCIETAL REACTION), SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS (CONTROL THEORY), AND CRIMINOGENIC CONDITIONS. REFERENCES AND INDEXES ARE APPENDED.