Theories of Delinquency An Examination of Explanations of Delinquent Behavior

Theories of Delinquency is a comprehensive survey of the theoretical approaches towards understanding delinquent behavior. Donald Shoemaker aptly presents all major individualistic and sociological theories in a standard format with basic assumptions, important concepts, and critical evaluations. Theories covered include biological and psychological explanations, anomie and social disorganization, differential association, drift theory, labeling theory, critical theories, and explanations of female delinquency. Now in its seventh edition, Theories of Delinquency contains up-to-date discussions based on current research, incorporates new developments in social disorganization theory and related concepts of collective efficacy and criminology of place, and presents a fresh look at bio-social and psychological connections to crime and delinquency and the general theory of crime. Clearly written, consistently organized, and thoroughly updated, Theories of Delinquency remains essential reading for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of crime and delinquency.

Donald J. Shoemaker is Professor of Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

1. Explanations of Delinquency
The Problem of Delinquency
The Issue of Causality
What Is a Theory?
Verification of Theories
The Plan of This Book
2. The Classical School: Issues of Choice and Reasoning
Historical Overview
Rational Choice Theory
Summary
3. Biological and Biosocial Explanations
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Somatotypes and Delinquency
Inheritance and Delinquency
Emerging Trends in Biological Explanations of Delinquency
Summary
4. Psychological Theories
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Intelligence and Delinquency
The Psychiatric-Psychoanalytic Approach
General Personality Characteristics
Summary
5. Social Disorganization and Anomie
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Social Disorganization
Anomie and Delinquency: Discontinuities in Society
Summary
6. Lower-Class-Based Theories of Delinquency
Historical Overview and Generic Assumptions
Cohen and the Middle-Class Measuring Rod
Cloward and Ohlin's Theory of Differential Opportunity
Structure
Miller's Theory of Lower-Class Culture and Delinquency
Summary
7. Interpersonal and Situational Explanations
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Differential Association
Drift and Delinquency
Summary
8. Control Theories
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Personal Controls
Social Controls-The Social Bond
A General Theory of Crime
Summary
9.Labeling Theory
Historical Overview
Generic Assumptions
Summary
10. The Radical Theory of Delinquency
Historical Overview
Beyond "Radical" Theory
11. Female Delinquency
Historical Overview
Basic Biological and Psychological Approaches
Gender Roles and Delinquency
Women's Emancipation
Evaluation
Power-Control Theory
Feminist Explanations of Female Delinquency
Summary
12. Delinquency Theory: An Integrative Approach
Integrated Theories: Some Considerations and a
Proposed Model
Author Index
Subject Index