NCJ Number
147541
Date Published
1993
Length
505 pages
Annotation
Professional psychologists working with offenders need to employ assessment and intervention methods similar to those used with other individuals who have psychological disorders and also should understand the importance of psychology and other disciplines in understanding crime.
Abstract
The book describes the contribution of psychology to the understanding of crime and crime control from the standpoint of psychology as a behavioral and social science and as an applied discipline that seeks to resolve problems of both individuals and social systems. Specific book chapters deal with crime measurement and distribution, offender classification, social and environmental crime theories, individually oriented and integrated crime theories, biological correlates of antisocial behavior, and familial and social correlates of crime. In addition, book chapters focus on personal attributes of offenders, aggression and violent crime, mental disorders and crime, sexual deviation and sexual offending, forensic psychology, psychological interventions with offenders, the treatment of dangerous offenders, and the effectiveness and ethics of intervention. The role of psychology in criminal law and the criminal justice system is discussed, as well as criminal responsibility, penal philosophies, and the link between psychology and criminology in explaining criminal behavior. References, tables, and figures