Psychosocial Criminology

'This is a well written, thought provoking, and highly challenging book for anyone who claims to be a criminologist or for whom crime is of central concern. It should be required reading on all undergraduate and post-graduate criminology courses. A truly innovative take on some well established criminological dilemmas.' Sandra Walklate, Eleanor Rathbone Chair of Sociology, University of Liverpool Psychosocial Criminology sheds new light on explanations of crime. It demonstrates how a psychosocial approach can illuminate the causes of particular crimes, challenging readers to re-think the similarities and differences between themselves and those involved in crime. The book critiques existing psychological and sociological concepts before outlining a more adequate understanding of the criminal offender. It sheds new light on a series of crimes - rape, serial murder, racist violence, 'jack-rolling' (mugging of drunks), domestic violence - and contemporary criminological issues such as fear of crime, cognitive-behavioural interventions and restorative justice.