Analytical Criminology: Integrating Explanations of Crime and Deviant Behavior

There are more than 20 crime theories, but no one knows which one is best. This book proposes a new research program of comparative theory testing to compare criminological theories with a general behavioral theory. The general theory is a version of the theory of rational action that explains when people actually violate the law or remain law-abiding. The book is for readers interested in theories of crime and deviant behavior and is also a treatise in analytical theory construction and empirical theory comparison.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

There exist a multitude of theories that seek to explain the phenomenon of crime, each with its own set of weaknesses and no single scholar can definitively assert which theory is the most accurate. To address this unsatisfactory state of affairs, a novel research program is proposed, focusing on the comparative testing of criminological theories. Despite previous attempts to compare these theories, success has been limited. In this book, an alternative approach is suggested: demonstrating how criminological theories can be modified when compared to a general behavioral theory. By doing so, the major criminological theories can be integrated into a comprehensive and unified general theory.

The chosen general theory is a version of the theory of rational action, which differs from the problematic version discussed in the literature. Rather than focusing on idealized decision-making processes, it emphasizes the real-world conditions that influence decision-making and explains when individuals violate the law or remain law-abiding. This general theory forms a crucial component of a theoretical framework that aims to explain individual behavior in the context of societal (macro) conditions. This micro-macro approach is summarized in a proposed structural-cognitive model, which forms part of the new program of Analytical Criminology.

The book is designed not only for readers with an interest in theories of crime and deviant behavior but also for those engaged in the rigorous construction of analytical theories and the comparative analysis of empirical theories. It provides a comprehensive and systematic exploration of the field, offering valuable insights and perspectives to scholars and researchers alike.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032336428