Criminology Today

Description

General Changes:

• Visual appeal has been enhanced through the use of new photos and line art – including many new figures.
• The text now includes two chapters on biological theories, in recognition of the increasing importance of biosocial perspectives, especially biosocial theories.
• The chapter on psychological theories of crime has been completely revised and expanded.
• Central issues of each major perspective contained in the text are now presented graphically as “Key Elements” for each major theoretical heading, allowing for ease of understanding.
• Pull quotes now appear throughout the chapters, punctuating important learning opportunities.
• Most boxed items, including Crime in the News boxes, have been shortened to 600 words or less in order to enhance their focus and promote reader comprehension. Crime in the News boxes are now author-written, and derived from multiple sources.
• Professor Speaks boxes have been removed from the book.

New Chapter Content in the Seventh Edition

Chapter 1: What Is Criminology?
A survey of crime statistics is now included in this chapter, having been moved from later parts of the book. The chapter now includes the story of six Italian geologists who were found guilty of manslaughter for failing to warn of an impending earthquake, and ends with the story of Adam Lanza — the 20-year-old Connecticut youth who shot 20 kindergarten students and six adults to death in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. “Translational criminology” has been added to the chapter. The section titled “What Is Criminology?” has been simplified and reduced in size.

Chapter 2: Where Do Theories Come From?
A new chapter-opening story begins the chapter, and threats to the internal and external validity of research designs are now represented in visual form. A new Crime in the News story is available, and the relevance of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology to evidence-based criminology is reiterated. This year’s recipient (David Farrington) of the Stockholm Prize is recognized.

Chapter 3: Classical and Neoclassical Thought
The section on capital punishment has been reduced in size and refocused to stress criminological (rather than criminal justice) issues, and a revised news box on DNA exonerations is included. Techniques of situational crime control are now represented visually rather than in tabular format.

Chapter 4: Early Biological Perspectives on Criminal Behavior
While the last edition of this text included only one chapter on biological theories, this edition offers two chapters on biological perspectives in recognition of the growing importance of biosocial theories of criminality. Chapter 4 has been revised in detail, and includes a new opening story along with a new section on traditional biological versus modern biosocial theories.  The discussion of the Italian School and criminal anthropology have been revised, and the section on sociobiology has been expanded.

Chapter 5: Biosocial and Other Contemporary Biological Perspectives
This is a completely new chapter, stressing the interplay between biology and the social and physical environments. New biosocial perspectives and supporting research is presented, and President Obama’s Brain Activity Map initiative is discussed. A new section on the dysfunctional brain is included, and brain mechanisms involved in aggression are explored. A discussion on the role of lead and heavy metal contamination in crime causation is offered, and the effects of testosterone and serotonin on behavior are included. The gender ratio problem in criminology is highlighted, and gender differences in criminality are also explored.

Chapter 6: Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior
This chapter has been extensively revised and opens with a new story about Arizona shooter, Jared Loughner.  The discussion of personality and trait theories of crime has been greatly enhanced, and an exploration of the Five Factor Model of personality is now included along with a graphic representation of the Model.  The discussion of moral development theory has been expanded, and a review of script theory has been added.  The concept of risk assessment has been fully developed and a discussion of risk assessment instruments in correctional psychology is now included. Finally, a new section on the criminal mindset has been added.

Chapter 7: Social Structure Theories
The chapter now includes a Crime in the News box on “broken windows policing” and now includes a visual representation of strain theory.

Chapter 8: Theories of Social Process and Social Development
The chapter now begins with a story about Joran van der Sloot, the killer of Natalee Holloway and Stephany Flores.  The situational action theory (SAT) of Per-Olof H. Wikström is discussed, and social development theories are given greater clarity. A revised Crime in the News box discusses the question of whether or not there is a “criminal gene,” and the discussion of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime has been expanded. Studies exploring the “contextual viability” of the relationship between self control and offending — in other words, the influence of things like neighborhood variables and economic conditions on self control – have been added.  Results from the Children at Risk study are now discussed, and discussion of Moffitt’s dual taxonomic theory has been incorporated into the chapter.

Chapter 9: Social Conflict Theories
The chapter now opens with a discussion of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and offers it as an example of social conflict. The distinction between radical and critical criminology has been clarified, and new line art has been added to the chapter to reinforce the concepts that are explored. The idea of “moral time,” developed by Donald Black is provided an explanation of the multi-faceted dynamics involved in the criminal event.

Chapter 10: Crimes against Persons
This chapter no longer contains detailed discussion of crime-data sources — information on which has been distributed throughout the text – but instead more directly addresses the chapter’s main focus: crimes against persons. Data on crimes of violence have been updated throughout the chapter, as has associated line art.  Much of the material on gang membership has been removed, especially where it is not directly relevant to crimes of violence, and a news box on James Holmes – the Colorado move theater mass shooter – and other mass shootings have been added. The chapter now includes the FBI’s redefinition of the crime of rape for statistical reporting purposes, as well as a revised definition of forcible rape from the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.  The discussion of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) has been updated along with prison rape statistics. 

Chapter 11: Crimes against Property
The chapter begins with a new opening story, and statistics on all property crimes have been updated throughout the chapter. New information about Caroline Giuliani, the daughter of former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, has been added in the shoplifting section. A news box on flash robberies is now included in the chapter, and the discussion of identity theft has been moved here from a later chapter to recognize its status as a theft crime. A photograph of actor Will Smith has been added to the chapter, and is associated with a discussion of his victimization by an identity thief. A criminal profiles box about Colton Harris-Moore, the “barefoot bandit,” has been added to the chapter.

Chapter 12: White-Collar and Organized Crime
This chapter has been completely revised, and also shortened.  The discussion of the history of white collar crime has been abbreviated, as has the discussion of traditional organized criminal groups in the United States. Types of financial crimes are now discussed in more detail, and a new graphic presents these various types visually. A discussion of international criminal organizations has been added, to include: Eurasian criminal enterprises, Balkan criminal enterprises, Asian criminal enterprises, African criminal enterprises, and Middle Eastern criminal enterprises.  The discussion of transnational organized crime has been updated.

Chapter 13: Public Order and Drug Crimes
This chapter has been substantially revised and reduced in length.  A tabular presentation of controlled substances replaces the lengthy spreadsheet-like list of such substances in the last edition, and up-to-date information on the costs of drug abuse are now included. Drug control strategies, to include the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s new initiatives are included, as are a discussion of legalization of marijuana (in Colorado and Washington state). The types of prostitutes, discussed later in the chapter, are now represented visually.

Chapter 14: Technology and Crime
A substantial revision has been made to this chapter, and it is now much briefer than the previous version. A global cyberthreat map provides an overview of cybercrimes world-wide, and the profile of computer hackers has been expanded.

Chapter 15: Globalization and Terrorism
As with chapters 13 and 14, this chapter has been reduced in size.  The focus is now on globalization and its influence on cross-national criminal activity. Human trafficking and smuggling are discussed in greater detail and the origin countries for both of these illegal activities have been highlighted.

For courses in criminology.

This text offers a student-friendly, up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to the study of criminology.

Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, 7e, continues to offer students a clear, contemporary, and comprehensive introduction to criminology that encourages critical thinking about the causes of crime and crime-prevention strategies. The text’s hallmark thematic approach of social problems versus social responsibility (Is crime a matter of individual responsibility or a symptom of a dysfunctional society?) prompts students to think critically about the causes of crime and helps them see the link between crime theories and crime policies.

Teaching and Learning

This comprehensive text addresses the poignant question of how security and freedom interface in an age of increasing globalism. It provides:

• Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of important topics: Such as research methods, criminology and social policy, white collar crime and terrorism
• Latest developments in the field: Covering the ways in which crime and criminals have changed in ways that few people had previously imagined would occur, and how these changes hold considerable significance for each one of us and for our nation as a whole
• Unparalleled pedagogical features: Gives students the tools to master key concepts faster and more effectively, and provides support for instructors

Features

Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of important topics:

• Unique thematic approach—Contrasts the social responsibility approach vs. the social problems approach
• Provides coverage of topics vital to the successful study of modern criminology—topics not covered in depth in competing texts
• NEW! The text now includes two chapters on biological theories—in recognition of the increasing importance of biosocial perspectives, especially biosocial theories
• REVISED! Chapter on psychological theories of crime—completely revised and expanded for the 7 ^th edition
• NEW! Substantially enlarged coverage of terrorism and cyberterrorism—including an overview of many types of terrorist groups such as nationalist, religious, state-sponsored, left-wing, right-wing, and anarchist groups  

Latest developments in the field:

• Includes cutting -edge news articles—such as Crime in the News boxes, Who’s to Blame, Theory vs. Reality, Theory in Perspective, and Criminal Profiles
• REVISED! Most boxed items, including Crime in the News boxes, have been shortened to 600 words or less—enhancing their focus and promoting reader comprehension. Crime in the News boxes are now author-written, and derived from multiple sources  

Unparalleled pedagogical features:

• NEW! Visual appeal has been enhanced through the use of new photos and line art—including many new figures
• NEW! Central issues of each major perspective contained in the text are now presented graphically as “Key Elements” for each major theoretical heading—allowing for ease of understanding
• NEW! Pull quotes now appear throughout the chapters—punctuating  important learning opportunities
• Exceptional student resources have been designed to maximize relevance, promote comprehension, and encourage critical thinking—including chapter opening stories, summaries, key terms, review questions, etc.
• Comprehensive instructor support—including PowerPoint presentations covering the entire text, a complete test bank, an instructor’s manual and The Pearson Criminal Justice Online Community—a place for educators to connect and to exchange ideas and advice on courses, content, Criminal Justice Interactive  and Criminology Interactive,  and so much more

This text offers a student-friendly, up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to the study of criminology.

Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, 7e, continues to offer students a clear, contemporary, and comprehensive introduction to criminology that encourages critical thinking about the causes of crime and crime-prevention strategies. The text’s hallmark thematic approach of social problems versus social responsibility (Is crime a matter of individual responsibility or a symptom of a dysfunctional society?) prompts students to think critically about the causes of crime and helps them see the link between crime theories and crime policies.

Teaching and Learning

This comprehensive text addresses the poignant question of how security and freedom interface in an age of increasing globalism. It provides:

• Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of important topics: Such as research methods, criminology and social policy, white collar crime and terrorism
• Latest developments in the field: Covering the ways in which crime and criminals have changed in ways that few people had previously imagined would occur, and how these changes hold considerable significance for each one of us and for our nation as a whole
• Unparalleled pedagogical features: Gives students the tools to master key concepts faster and more effectively, and provides support for instructors

Chapter 1: What Is Criminology?
Chapter 2: Where Do Theories Come From?
Chapter 3: Classical and Neoclassical Thought
Chapter 4: Early Biological Perspectives on Criminal Behavior
Chapter 5: Biosocial and Other Contemporary Biological Perspectives
Chapter 6: Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior
Chapter 7: Social Structure Theories
Chapter 8: Theories of Social Process and Social Development
Chapter 9: Social Conflict Theories
Chapter 10: Crimes against Persons
Chapter 11: Crimes against Property
Chapter 12: White-Collar and Organized Crime
Chapter 13: Public Order and Drug Crimes
Chapter 14: Technology and Crime
Chapter 15: Globalization and Terrorism

For courses in criminology.

This text offers a student-friendly, up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to the study of criminology.

Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, 7e, continues to offer students a clear, contemporary, and comprehensive introduction to criminology that encourages critical thinking about the causes of crime and crime-prevention strategies. The text’s hallmark thematic approach of social problems versus social responsibility (Is crime a matter of individual responsibility or a symptom of a dysfunctional society?) prompts students to think critically about the causes of crime and helps them see the link between crime theories and crime policies.

Teaching and Learning

This comprehensive text addresses the poignant question of how security and freedom interface in an age of increasing globalism. It provides:

• Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of important topics: Such as research methods, criminology and social policy, white collar crime and terrorism
• Latest developments in the field: Covering the ways in which crime and criminals have changed in ways that few people had previously imagined would occur, and how these changes hold considerable significance for each one of us and for our nation as a whole
• Unparalleled pedagogical features: Gives students the tools to master key concepts faster and more effectively, and provides support for instructors