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Introduction to Criminology
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Introduction to Criminology
Why Do They Do It?

Fourth Edition
Available with:
Learning platform
January 2024 | 560 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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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, Joseph A. Schwartz, 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. Updates to the Fourth Edition include recent major social events, such as the George Floyd protests; changes in crime trends and criminal behavior as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; updated crime statistics, case studies, as well as contemporary topics, such as mass shooting events and the legalization of marijuana use.

 
Chapter 1: Introduction to Criminology
What Is a Crime?

 
What Are Criminology and Criminal Justice?

 
The Consensus and Conflict Perspectives of Crime

 
The Criminal Justice System

 
Criminological Theory

 
Victimology

 
 
Chapter 2: Measuring Crime
Data From Law Enforcement Agencies

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

 
Comparing the NCVS With Uniform Crime Reports and NIBRS

 
Data From Self-Report Surveys

 
Additional Approaches to Collecting Data

 
 
Chapter 3: The Classical School of Criminological Thought
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

 
 
Chapter 4: Contemporary Classical and Deterrence Research
The Rebirth of Deterrence Theory and Contemporary Research

 
Rational Choice Theory

 
Routine Activities Theory

 
 
Chapter 5: Early Positivism: Biological Theories of Crime
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

 
 
Chapter 6: Modern Biosocial Perspectives of Criminal Behavior
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

 
 
Chapter 7: Psychological/Trait Theories of Crime
Early Psychological Theorizing Regarding Criminal Behavior

 
Modern Psychological Perspectives of Criminality

 
Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System

 
 
Chapter 8: Social Structure Theories of Crime I: Early Development and Strain Models of Crime
Early European Theorists of Social Structure: Comte, Guerry, and Quetelet

 
Merton’s Strain Theory

 
Variations of Merton’s Strain Theory

 
General Strain Theory

 
 
Chapter 9: Social Structure Theories of Crime II: Social Disorganization and Subcultures
The Ecological School and the Chicago School of Criminology

 
Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Social Disorganization

 
Cultural and Subcultural Theories of Crime

 
 
Chapter 10: Social Process and Control Theories of Crime
Learning Theories

 
Control Theories

 
A General Theory of Crime: Low Self-Control

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

 
Conflict Perspectives

 
Additional Critical Theories

 
 
Chapter 12: Feminist Theories of Crime
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 Understanding Crime and Criminal Behavior

 
Critiques of Feminist Theories

 
Policies Based on Feminist Theories of Crime

 
 
Chapter 13: Developmental/Life-Course Perspectives on Criminality
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

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

 
Incidence and Impact on Society

 
Types of White-Collar Crime

 
Theoretical Explanations

 
Organized Crime

 
Cybercrime

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

 
Multicide

 
Terrorism

 
Homeland Security

 
 
Chapter 16: Drugs and Crime
Depressants

 
Narcotics

 
Stimulants

 
Other Commonly Abused Drugs

 
Trends of Drug Use

 
The Link Between Drugs and Crime

 
Modern Policies Related to Reducing Drug Use

 

"A robust, easily accessible text book by which to teach a comprehensive course on criminological theory! Simply the best on the market!"

Christopher Conner
University of Missouri

The Introduction to Criminology 4e, by Schram et al., textbook provides a substantial assessment of the theoretical perspectives for an Introduction to Criminology course.

Professor Robert Perez
SOCIOLOGY, Labette Community College
September 11, 2024
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Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • Crime statistics have been updated throughout to better reflect the most recent crime data available.
  • Case studies and the Why Do They do It? sections have been updated throughout, highlighting a combination of historical and contemporary cases to provide students with more opportunities to apply theories to actual crimes.
  • Recent major social events, such as the George Floyd protests, are discussed in detail with particular focus on their relevance for specific theoretical perspectives.
  • Information related to changes in crime trends and criminal behavior during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has been added throughout, such as information pertaining to changes in interpersonal violence trends, hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, and changes in homicides.
  • Information on a range of contemporary topics has been revised, including legalization of marijuana use; mass shooting events, including notable school shooting events; the opioid epidemic; challenges facing law enforcement; and gun control.
KEY FEATURES:
  • Theory in Action Videos: These clips include candid interviews with former offenders that reinforce theoretical concepts for students.
  • What Were They Thinking? Videos: Co-author Stephen G. Tibbetts explores an interesting or unusual crime, and links it to concepts discussed in the chapter.
  • Chapter-opening Case Studies present real-life cases that introduce the concepts discussed in the chapter; cases are revisited throughout the chapter to contextualize the theories and concepts.
  • Why Do They Do It cases give students an opportunity to critically analyze the high profile cases they hear about in the news.
  • Special typology chapters review contemporary topics such as cybercrime, hate crimes, terrorism, white collar/corporate crime, and drug-related offenses.
  • 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 the chapters help students test their knowledge and reading retention.
  • Policy Implications sections at the end of chapters further demonstrate the application of the theories.
Vantage Reference: 
Introduction to Criminology - Vantage Learning Platform

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