The sixth edition of Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences builds on its prior success with updated coverage of criminological theory and a fresh look at policy implications.

The new edition continues to offer a rich introduction to how scholars analyze crime in a clear, accessible text which moves readers beyond commonsense knowledge of crime to a deeper understanding of the importance of theory in shaping crime control policies. This thoroughly revised edition covers traditional and contemporary theory within a larger sociological and historical context.



New to This Edition:

• Expanded coverage biosocial criminology that explores the latest research in this area and the perspective’s growing policy implications.


• New tables that summarize theoretical developments and that can serve as useful study guides


• Comprehensive coverage of macro-level control theories, including collective efficacy theory, the systemic model, and cultural attenuation theory


• Discussions of new theoretical developments, including male peer support theory, a theory of African American offending, integrated cognitive antisocial potential theory, and social concern theory.?Expanded coverage of new directions in critical theory


• New sources that assess developments within, and the empirical status of, the major theories


• Updates of crime control policies and their connection to criminological theory.


• Selected entries on the student study site from the Cullen/Wilcox, Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory