Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and Understanding

Visual techniques for applying criminological theory to social science research

Introducing Criminological Thinking: Maps, Theories, and Understanding is an accessible and user-friendly criminological theory text for students, instructors and researchers. In addition to the unique use of concept maps, mind maps, and other visual techniques to consider theory-based inquiry, this text combines an exploration of the core elements of theory with relevant examples drawn from biology, psychology, sociology, critical traditions, and integrative efforts. Unlike in other theory texts, the chapters are arranged by level of explanation to help students understand how theories from different disciplines interact with each other as a foundation for many contemporary criminological theories.

Authors Jon Heidt and Johannes Wheeldon have developed a seven-step model to identify key aspects of different theories including their historical and social context, base assumptions, scope, problem foci, terms/concepts, related research, and practical ramifications. This text offers both a student-friendly theoretical discussion and accessible visual examples to explain criminological theory and its applicability to social science research.

Jon Heidt is an assistant professor of criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada. He received his B.A. in sociology from the University of Montana and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 2011. He has been studying theories for over 10 years and has taught theory and methods courses at several academic institutions. His work has appeared in Critical Criminology, The Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Criminology, and The Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Heidt was also involved with research on the supervised injection sites in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His other interests include corrections, evidence-based policies, ethnography, and drug policy legislation.

Johannes Wheeldon is an assistant professor at Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. He received his B.A. in political science from Dalhousie University, his LLM from Durham University, and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in 2009. He has focused on the practical application of criminological theory in policing, courts, and corrections and explored how visual maps can assist students to understand the assumptions behind methodological approaches and research traditions. Recent work has appeared in The Journal of Criminal Justice Education, Theoretical Criminology, and Canadian Political Science Review. The Open Society Foundation funds his current work on debate, juvenile justice, and international human rights. Other scholarly interests include philosophy of justice, mixed methods, and visual criminology.