NCJ Number
146018
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1993) Pages: 491-497
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The author comments on articles by criminologist colleagues as they represent obstacles to progress.
Abstract
Most of them, he says, are characterized by an attempt to rework existing theories and methodologies to address current criminological issues, rather than developing new theories and methodologies. Further, they do not adequately account for individual differences. Braithwaite has been able to combine several incompatible theories because none of them have been proven or disproven. Felson advocates use of social indicators to predict the incidence of crime but does not mention biological indicators--therefore, the causes of criminality remain unilluminated. Sampson, in advocating a "dynamic contextualism" approach, addresses the issue of individual-society interaction, but also fails to recognize the individual as a biological system. Sherman addresses individual differences in responses to punishment, and says that defiance theory does not account for differences across social settings, types of offenses, or types of sanctions. McCord emphasizes problem areas that account for the failure of criminologists to produce empirically sound theories: overgeneralization, narrow conceptualization, and collinearity. The author's own plea is for interdisciplinary research involving biology, psychology, sociology, and other social sciences. 17 references