Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and Understanding

Visual techniques for applying criminological theory to social science research   Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and Understanding is an accessible and user-friendly criminological theory text for students, instructors and researchers. In addition to the unique use of concept maps, mind maps, and other visual techniques to consider theory-based inquiry, this text combines an exploration of the core elements of theory with relevant examples drawn from biology, psychology, sociology, critical traditions, and integrative efforts. Unlike in other theory texts, the chapters are arranged by level of explanation to help students understand how theories from different disciplines interact with each other as a foundation for many contemporary criminological theories. Authors Jon Heidt and Johannes Wheeldon have developed a seven-step model to identify key aspects of different theories including their historical and social context, base assumptions, scope, problem foci, terms/concepts, related research, and practical ramifications. This text offers both a student-friendly theoretical discussion and accessible visual examples to explain criminological theory and its applicability to social science research.

Table of Contents:
PART I: Introduction to Criminological Thinking CHAPTER 1: Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping What is Criminological Thinking? What is Criminological Theory? Visual Techniques and Criminological Theory Seven Steps to Understanding Criminological Thinking Major Orientations and Organization of the Book CHAPTER 2: The Seven-Step Model and Early Explanations of Criminality The Seven Steps to Understanding Criminological Thinking A Research Example: Classical Criminology and Deterrence Theory PART II: Individual Difference Theories CHAPTER 3: Biological Positivist Theories The Biological Positivist Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Practical Ramifications of Biological Positivism: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? Criticisms of Biological Positivist Theories Research Example: Rethinking Biology and the Brain CHAPTER 4: Psychological Positivist Theories The Psychological Positivist Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Psychological Positivism Research Example: Mental Illness and Crime PART III: Process Theories CHAPTER 5: Psychological Process Theories The Psychological Process Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Psychological Process Theories Research Examples: The Stanford Prison Experiment, Milgram in Liberia, and Police Legitimacy CHAPTER 6: Differential Association and Social Learning Theories The Differential Association and Social Learning Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Social Learning Theory Research Example: Meta-Analysis and Social Learning Theory CHAPTER 7: Control Theories The Control Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Control Theories: The Complexity of Causation Research Example: Social Bonding Theory through Life Histories CHAPTER 8: Labeling Theories The Labeling Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Labeling Theories Research Example: Saints, Roughnecks, Labels, and Arrests PART IV: Structural Theories CHAPTER 9: Social Disorganization Theories The Social Disorganization Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Social Disorganization Theories Research Example: Disorganization, Community, and Mixed Methods CHAPTER 10: Social Strain and Anomie Theories The Social Strain and Anomie Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Social Strain and Anomie Theories Research Example: Measuring Social Strain PART V: Theories of Crime and Criminal Justice CHAPTER 11: Conflict Theories The Conflict Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Conflict Theories Research Example: Restorative Justice as a Practical Critique of the Criminal Justice System CHAPTER 12: Rational Choice Theories The Rational Choice Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Rational Choice Theories Research Example: Hot Spots, Displacement, and Crime PART VI: Integration in Criminology CHAPTER 13: Integrated and General Theories The Integrative Impulse in Criminology Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Integrated and General Theories Research Example: General Strain and Social Support CHAPTER 14: Biosocial Theories The Biosocial Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Biosocial Theories Research Example: The Lead-Crime Connection CHAPTER 15: Developmental and Life Course Theories The Developmental and Life Course Tradition Seven Steps of Criminological Thinking Criticisms of Developmental and Life Course Theories Research Example: Crime and the Life Course CHAPTER 16: Conclusion New Directions in Criminological Theory Toward an Analysis of Criminological Theories

About the Author :
Jon Heidt is an assistant professor of criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. He received his B.A. in sociology from the University of Montana and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 2011. He has been studying theories for over 10 years and has taught theory and methods courses at several academic institutions. His work has appeared in Critical Criminology, The Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Criminology, and The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Heidt was also involved with research on the supervised injection sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His other interests include corrections, evidence-based policies, ethnography, and drug policy legislation. Johannes Wheeldon is an assistant professor at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. He received his B.A. in political science from Dalhousie University, his LLM from Durham University, and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 2009. He has focused on the practical application of criminological theory in policing, courts, and corrections and explored how visual maps can assist students to understand the assumptions behind methodological approaches and research traditions. Recent work has appeared in The Journal of Criminal Justice Education, Theoretical Criminology, and Canadian Political Science Review. The Open Society Foundation funds his current work on debate, juvenile justice, and international human rights. Other scholarly interests include philosophy of justice, mixed methods, and visual criminology.