Allyn & Bacon / Prentice Hall

Criminal Justice



Why Crime? An Integrated Systems Theory of Antisocial Behavior
Matt Robinson, Eastern Kentucky University

ISBN-10: 0131119370
ISBN-13: 9780131119376

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2004
Format: Paper; 360 pp
Published: 03/06/2003

Suggested retail price: $57.40
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For courses in Criminological Theory, Criminology, Deviance, and multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary classes in Perspectives on Crime.

Meaningfully combining and integrating various theories of crime, this text identifies known risk factors related to antisocial behavior that have been discovered within numerous academic disciplines. Organized around an integrated systems perspective, the book examines six levels of analysis, from cell to society. Relationships between factors at each of these levels of analysis and antisocial behavior are stated in a testable format, and a new theory of antisocial behavior and criminality is presented.

  • Organization around six levels of analysis.

    • Provides students with ease of understanding the etiology of behavior and makes sense of numerous theories of crime.

  • Comprehensive coverage of sociological and biological factors as related to behavior.

    • Gives students an opportunity to recognize and understand the behaviors involved in criminality.

  • Unique boxes—Define every key concept in each chapter.

    • Provides students with up-to-date, cutting-edge examples from research.

  • Visual diagrams and figures—Includes pictures of the brain, suggested diet, and main theories of crime.

    • Allows students to “see” the propositions being presented.

  • Discussion questions—Included at the end of each chapter.

    • Directs students to key points in the text and gives exercises for learning.

  • New, interdisciplinary theory—Combines biological, sociological, psychological, anthropological, economic, and other factors into one theoretical model.

    • Provides students and instructors with a fresh perspective, giving ample opportunity for interesting classroom discussion.



 1. What Is Crime?


 2. What Is Theory?


 3. Perspectives in Criminological Theory.


 4. Cellular Level Explanations of Crime.


 5. Organ Level Explanations of Crime.


 6. Organism Level Explanations of Crime.


 7. Group Level Explanations of Crime.


 8. Community and Organization Level Explanations of Crime.


 9. Society Level Explanations of Crime.


10. An Integrated Systems Theory of Antisocial Behavior.


References.


Index.


"Why Crime? illustrates both the psychological imagination and the gap where some classic criminology has failed." — Art Jipson, University of Dayton




"The organization of topics is logical and well explained—moving from cell up to society levels makes sense... This [book] is interesting to read and think about... The attempt to bring the different disciplines together gives one (including students) something to think about." — Kim Davies, Augusta State University




"It is a book that needs to be written and published." — Stephen Brodt, Ball State University


Why Crime? An Integrated Systems Theory of Antisocial Behavior explains why some people are more prone to antisocial behavior than others. In the book, risk factors from various academic disciplines and levels of analysis that increase the probability of antisocial behavior are identified and critically evaluated. Then, a new theory of antisocial behavior is offered, organized around the "integrated systems perspective" of science, which combines biological, sociological, psychological, anthropological, economic, and other factors into one theoretical model. The book is intended for courses in criminological theory and for in-depth understanding of factors that produce criminality, delinquency, and deviance.

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