Understanding Crime: Theory and Practice With Infotrac. This item is unavailable.Understanding Crime: Theory and Practice With Infotrac

This thought-provoking examination of crime and criminological theory takes a direct approach to a question that often confuses and frustrates students---why do people commit crimes? UNDERSTANDING CRIME begins with an overview of the key elements of the study of crime and criminology, including law, public policy, research literature, and the philosophical origins of crime theories. These theories, based in biology, psychology, and sociology, are then broken down to their basic elements and causal processes in order to be explored. The authors examine the practical implications and applications each theory has on the administration of justice. In conclusion, the text looks at the future of crime theory by speculating whether or not new research designs, theories, and paradigms are needed. With a new modular format, this text can be customized for any teaching or learning style.

Tom Winfree received his Ph.D. (sociology) degree from the University of Montana in 1976. Besides his current position as professor of criminal justice at New Mexico State University, he has held academic appointments at the University of New Mexico, East Texas State University (now Texas A and M University, Commerce), and Louisiana State University. Tom has authored or co-authored over 70 refereed journal articles, 20-plus book chapters, and numerous reports. He is co-author, with Howard Abadinsky, of UNDERSTANDING CRIME (Wadsworth, 2003). Included among Tom's research interests are youth gangs, police socialization, and contemporary justice system responses to drug and alcohol problems.