Description
Book SynopsisThis book focuses on what is probably the most frequently asked question about crime: Why do criminals offend? Renowned criminologist Robert Agnew draws on a broad range of crime theories and the latest research to present a general theory of crime and delinquency, rich with student-accessible examples. The general theory integrates the essential arguments from social learning, social control, self-control, strain, labeling, social support, bio-psychological, and other theories. And it draws on the latest research examining the relationship between crime, individual traits, and the social environment--including family, school, peer, and work environments. Agnew's general theory is concise and written at a level readily accessible to undergraduates. It provides a good sense of the major causes of crime and how they mutually influence and interact with one another to affect crime. Key points are illustrated with examples from qualitative and quantitative research, and each chapter ends
Trade ReviewThis is a brilliant integrative book.... [It is] an outstanding contribution to criminological theory and knowledge.... The writing style is excellent: clear, interesting, and informative. * David Farrington, University of Cambridge *
This book is a major contribution to the discipline.... Extremely well written and engaging. * Alex R. Piquero, University of Florida *
This is an outstanding book. It is logical in its organization, clearly articulated, empirically informed, and brilliant in its depth of scholarship.... This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the study of crime and criminals. * John Wright, University of Cincinnati^ *
Table of Contents1. INTRODUCTION: A GENERAL THEORY OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY; 2. CRIME IS MOST LIKELY WHEN THE CONSTRAINTS AGAINST CRIME ARE LOW AND THE MOTIVATIONS FOR CRIME ARE HIGH; 3. A RANGE OF INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL VARIABLES AFFECT THE CONSTRAINTS; 4. THE WEB OF CRIME: THE LIFE DOMAINS AFFECT ONE ANOTHER, ALTHOUGH SOME EFFECTS ARE STRONGER THAN OTHERS; 5. CRIME AFFECTS ITS 'CAUSES' AND PRIOR CRIME AFFECTS SUBSEQUENT CRIME; 6. THE CAUSES OF CRIME INTERACT IN AFFECTING CRIME AND ONE ANOTHER; 7. THE CAUSES TEND TO HAVE CONTEMPORANEOUS AND NONLINEAR EFFECTS ON CRIME AND ONE ANOTHER; 8. THE LIFE DOMAINS ARE INFLUENCED BY A RANGE OF OUTSIDE FACTORS, INCLUDING BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS; 9. USING THE GENERAL THEORY TO EXPLAIN GROUP DIFFERENCES IN CRIME; 10. TESTING THE GENERAL THEORY; 11. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTROLLING CRIME; 12. THE GENERAL THEORY AS AN INTEGRATED THEORY OF CRIME; CONCLUSION
