Table of Contents

An Introduction to Concepts Involving Crime and Crime Causation. The Concept of Crime. Early Development of Crime Causation Theories. Biological and Psychological Approaches to Crime Causation. Social Structures as a Cause of Crime. Social Process as a Cause of Crime. Integrated Theories. Theories of Critical Criminology. American System of Justice. Criminal Activity: Types, Severity, and Social Impact. Government- and Business-Related Crimes. Drugs and the Justice System. Changing Nature of Crime and Crime Causation.

About the Author

Robert Winters is currently a full-time faculty member at Kaplan University. He is a member of the National Criminal Justice Association and serves as a Western Regional Representative, member of the National Advisory Board and its National Elections Committee. He earned his J.D. and B.S. in law degrees at Western State University of Law, Fullerton, California. Robert has taught at Governor’s State University in University Park, Illinois in the areas of crime theory, criminology, and deviance and ethics and for Kaplan University, where he has taught a wide range of courses including criminal law, criminal procedure, and constitutional law.

Julie L. Globokar is an assistant professor of criminology & justice studies at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Her work has appeared in the British Journal of Criminology, International Review of Victimology, and Law Enforcement Executive Forum. Her current research examines the social, organizational, and historic factors that shape probation work. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in criminology, law, and justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago; an M.A. in criminal justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.

Cliff Roberson is an emeritus professor of criminal justice at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He is also a retired professor of criminology from California State University, Fresno. In 2009, a research study conducted by a group of professors from Sam Houston State University determined that he was the leading criminal justice author in the United States based on his publications and their relevance to the profession [See Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice, Vol. 6, issue 1, 2009]. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 books and texts on legal subjects. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in human behavior from U.S. International University; an L.L.M. in criminal law, criminology, and psychiatry from George Washington University; a J.D. from American University; a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri; and one year of post-graduate legal study at the University of Virginia School of Law.