NCJ Number
48862
Journal
Sociological Review Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 119-135
Date Published
1974
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THIS CRITIQUE OF THE BOOK, 'THE NEW CRIMINOLOGY: FOR A SOCIAL THEORY OF DEVIANCE' TAKES ISSUE WITH THE VOLUME'S MAJOR THEORIES. THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AND MANNER OF PRESENTATION ARE QUESTIONED.
Abstract
THE MAJOR CRITICISM OF THE BOOK IS THAT IT TRIES TO BLEND A VOLUNTARY HUMANISTIC THEORY OF BEHAVIOR WITH SOCIAL DETERMINISM. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE ROLES PLAYED BY CHOICE, ALTERNATIVES, AND BELIEFS ARE SIMPLISTICALLY PORTRAYED, AND THAT MANY CONCEPTS PUT FORTH BY OTHER CRIMINOLOGISTS ARE MISCONSTRUED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT CRIMINOLOGISTS FOCUS ON PROBLEMS WITH EMPIRICAL FOUNDATIONS AND CEASE CLOTHING GENERALIZED MORAL PRESCRIPTIONS IN THE LANGUAGE OF SCIENCE. KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS CALLED TOO SCANT TO BE SCIENTIFIC. INSTEAD, THE POLITICS OF PRACTICAL SOCIAL CONTROL NEED TO BE DEBATED WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, PURSUING A TECHNICAL INTEREST IN THE CONVENTIONS AND PRESUPPOSITIONS WHICH ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTING IS PROVIDED. (SEE ALSO NCJ 11589.) (GLR)