Sociology of Crime

The diversity and richness of biosocial theory is illustrated in this volume which introduces numerous views on the biological and social causes of criminality and pro/antisociality. Contributors outline basic assumptions of the biosocial perspective; examine various evolutionary, genetic, and neurochemical aspects of criminality; and then stretch existing knowledge to new theoretical limits. This volume is intended to alert social scientists, particularly criminologists, of recent developments in this field.

Are victims "good guys" and criminals "bad guys"? Sometimes--but often the public's stereotypes and perceptions of offenders, victims, and groups are quite complex. In this, the most extensive analysis yet published on images of criminals and victims, Claster explains why the public as well as its representatives resist measures that would seem to be sensible ways of ameliorating crime; yet community service, shock probation, determinate sentencing, and reality therapy are embraced by the public. In the process of explaining these contradictions, he shows how moral polarization is central to explaining public attitudes.

This book synthesizes historical accounts of crime and civil disorder with the literature of modern urban studies and contemporary criminality.

Knafla and his contributors explore the common problems and issues that emerge from the study of class and gender in criminal prosecutions, ranging from late medieval Europe to the early 20th century. The chapters demonstrate that conceptions of crime and criminal behavior are influenced decisively by the roles of class, gender, and later race as societies evolve in search of continuity and conformity.

In the past 50 years, street crime in the USA has increased eightfold. This work argues that the causes were rooted in social institutions, and that crime increased along with growing political distrust, economic stress and family disintegration.

Klemke provides an up-to-date review and analysis of the research and theoretical work on shoplifting. The analysis is structured by the three questions which dominate the sociology of deviance literature: (1) Who shoplifts and how do they do it? (the descriptive question); (2) why do they shoplift? (the etiological question); and (3) how do store personnel and the legal system deal with shoplifters? (the prevention/deterrence/labeling question). The author identifies the areas where consensus and confidence already exist in the research on shoplifting, then specifies the gaps in our knowledge, as well as areas of controversy and debate that continue to perplex students of the phenomenon.

Shared racial and cultural experiences and the collective memory of those experiences play important roles in determining the responses of African Americans to issues of crime and violence. By examining American history through the prism of African American experience, this volume provides a framework for understanding contemporary issues regarding crime and justice, including the much-discussed gap between how blacks and whites perceive the fairness of the criminal justice system. Following a thesis offered by W.E.B. Du Bois with regard to African American responses to oppression, the authors argue that responses by African Americans to issues of crime and justice have taken three main forms--resistance, accommodation, and self-determination. These responses are related to efforts by African Americans to carve out social and psychological "space" for themselves and to find their "place" in America.