Introduction to Criminology
Why Do They Do It?

Third Edition

Pamela J. Schram - California State University, San Bernardino, USA
Stephen G. Tibbetts - California State University, San Bernardino, USA

Available with:

Courses:
Introductory Criminology | Introductory Criminology

January 2020 | 552 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Introduction to Criminology: Why Do They Do It? offers a contemporary and integrated discussion of key criminological theories to help students understand crime in the 21st century. Focusing on why offenders commit crimes, authors Pamela J. Schram and Stephen G. Tibbetts apply established theories to real-life examples to explain criminal behavior. Coverage of violent and property crimes is included throughout theory chapters so that students can clearly understand the application of theory to criminal behavior. The Third Edition includes new and expanded coverage of timely topics, such as victimization, measuring crime, multicide, gun control, and hate crimes.

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Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Chapter 1: Introduction to Criminology

Introduction

What Is a Crime?

What Are Criminology and Criminal Justice?

The Consensus and Conflict Perspectives of Crime

The Criminal Justice System

Criminological Theory

Victimology

Conclusion

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 2: Measuring Crime

Introduction

Data From Law Enforcement Agencies

Data From Victims of Crime: The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

Data From Self-Report Surveys

Additional Approaches to Collecting Data

Conclusion

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 3: The Classical School of Criminological Thought

Introduction

Pre-Classical Perspectives on Crime and Punishment

The Age of Enlightenment

The Classical School of Criminology

The Impact of Beccaria’s Work on Other Theorists

The Neoclassical School of Criminology

The Decline of Classical/Neoclassical Theory

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 4: Contemporary Classical and Deterrence Research

Introduction

The Rebirth of Deterrence Theory and Contemporary Research

Rational Choice Theory

Routine Activities Theory

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 5: Early Positivism: Biological Theories of Crime

Introduction

Early Biological Theories of Behavior

Lombroso’s Theory of Atavism and Born Criminals

After Lombroso: The IQ-Testing Era

Body-Type Theory: Sheldon’s Model of Somatotyping

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 6: Modern Biosocial Perspectives of Criminal Behavior

Introduction

Nature Versus Nurture: Studies Examining the Influence of Genetics and Environment

Cytogenetic Studies: The XYY Factor

Hormones and Neurotransmitters: Chemicals That Determine Criminal Behavior

Brain Injuries

Central Versus Autonomic Nervous System Activity

Biosocial Approaches to Explaining Criminal Behavior

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 7: Psychological/Trait Theories of Crime

Introduction

Early Psychological Theorizing Regarding Criminal Behavior

Modern Psychological Perspectives of Criminality

Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 8: Social Structure Theories of Crime I: Early Development and Strain Models of Crime

Introduction

Early European Theorists of Social Structure: Comte, Guerry, and Quetelet

Durkheim and the Concept of Anomie

Merton’s Strain Theory

Variations of Merton’s Strain Theory

General Strain Theory

Summary of Strain Theories

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 9: Social Structure Theories of Crime II: Social Disorganization and Subcultures

Introduction

The Ecological School and the Chicago School of Criminology

Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Social Disorganization

Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 10: Social Process and Control Theories of Crime

Introduction

Learning Theories

Control Theories

A General Theory of Crime: Low Self-Control

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 11: Labeling Theory and Conflict/Marxist/Radical Theories of Crime

Introduction

Labeling Theory

Conflict Perspectives

Additional Critical Theories

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 12: Feminist Theories of Crime

Introduction

A Brief History of Feminism in the United States

Feminist Perspectives on Gender

Traditional Theories of Female Crime

The Liberation Thesis

Power-Control Theory

Feminist Perspectives on Crime and Criminal Behavior

Critiques of Feminist Theories

Policies Based on Feminist Theories of Crime

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 13: Developmental/Life-Course Perspectives on Criminality

Introduction

Basic Concepts and Early Developmental Theory

Antidevelopmental Theory: Low-Self-Control Theory

Sampson and Laub’s Developmental Model

Moffitt’s Developmental Taxonomy

Thornberry’s Interactional Model of Offending

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Summary of Theories

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 14: White-Collar Crime, Organized Crime, and Cybercrime

Introduction

White-Collar Crime

Organized Crime

Cybercrime

Conclusion

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 15: Hate Crimes, Mass Murder, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

Introduction

Hate Crimes

Multicide

Terrorism

Homeland Security

Policy Implications

Conclusion

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Chapter 16: Drugs and Crime

Introduction

Depressants

Narcotics

Stimulants

Other Commonly Abused Drugs

Trends of Drug Use

The Link Between Drugs and Crime

Modern Policies Related to Reducing Drug Use

Policy Recommendations

Conclusion

Key Terms

Discussion Questions

Resources

Glossary

Notes

Index

Supplements

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"Schram and Tibbetts provide a thorough introduction to the study of crime and deviance. A must-read for anyone seriously interested in learning about the causes and correlates of criminal behavior."

Eric J. Connolly

Sam Houston State University

"The text has supplemental material as well as case studies to back up the content. It is easy to read and students will like the colorful print and text type."

Christen C. Shea

Polk State College

This text is adopted because of its comprehensive review of major theoretical schools in the field of criminology

Professor Robert Perez

SOCIOLOGY, Labette Community College

November 2, 2022

Report this review

Topics identified and discussed in textbook are relevant and current. Abundance of instructor and student support resources, all of which coincide with textbook discussions.

Darryl Roberts

Arts & Humanities, Southern Univ At New Orleans

September 22, 2021

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Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

The new edition is available as a digital option through SAGE Vantage, an intuitive digital platform that offers auto-graded assignments and interactive multimedia tools—including video—all designed to enable students to better prepare for class. Learn more.
An expanded discussion of victimization focuses on victims of crime and presents key concepts in victimology.
An entire chapter dedicated to measuring crime provides students a foundation to understanding and appreciating how crime data enhance our understanding of criminal activity.
New case studies help explain and apply the theories of the given chapter to actual offenses.
A new section on multicide examines the motivations behind mass murders and school shootings, as well as issues of race and religious ideology linked to these types of crimes.
Up-to-date coverage of contemporary issues includes gun control, mental health, disparity in the criminal justice system, cybercrime and Internet fraud, hate crimes, and terrorism.
Additional critical thinking questions help students understand the connection between real-world examples and theory.
Revised learning objectives follow Bloom’s taxonomy and provide students with a clearer pedagogical framework.

KEY FEATURES:

Author Videos: In these videos, co-author Stephen G. Tibbetts introduces and summarizes key concepts in the chapter.
Student on the Street Videos: These videos feature interviews with students, illustrating common misconceptions of criminal justice.
Theory in Action Videos: These clips include candid interviews with former offenders and cement theoretical concepts for the students.
What Were They Thinking? Videos: In these videos, co-author Steven G. Tibbetts provides an example of a bizarre crime and links it back to theoretical concepts discussed in the chapter.

Chapter-opening vignettes present real-life cases that tie directly to the concepts discussed in the chapter; cases are revisited throughout the chapter as students to contextualize the theories and concepts.
Why Do They Do It cases give students an opportunity to critically analyze some of the most high profile cases they hear about in the news.
An entire chapter devoted to Feminist criminological theories gives attention to a topic not adequately covered in most other introductory textbooks.
Applying Theory to Crime boxes help students apply the chapter concepts to violent and property crimes within the context of theory chapter.
Learning Checks throughout chapters help students test their knowledge and reading retention.
Policy Implications sections at the ends of chapters demonstrate the applications of the theories.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1: Introduction to Criminology

Chapter 2: Measuring Crime

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Why Do They Do It?

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