Why Crime?: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Explaining Criminal Behavior

Why Crime? reviews the very latest empirical evidence with regard to the risk factors that produce antisocial and criminal behavior. The authors meaningfully integrate risk factors identified by more than a dozen academic disciplines that increase the odds of antisocial behavior and criminality. The result is a new interdisciplinary theory that helps break down traditional barriers and overcomes the "disciplinary myopia" that plagues criminological theory. Unlike the typical criminological theory text, Why Crime? actually advances the state of criminological theory as well as the field of criminology.

PowerPoint slides available upon adoption. To view sample slides from the full 31-slide presentation, click here. Email bhall@cap-press.com for more information.

"Whether your interest is macro or micro, society or genes, Why Crime? is a tour-de-force through the criminological literature. Professors Robinson and Beaver have brilliantly explicated the interdisciplinary research on crime in a concise, fun-to-read text." ― Dr. Matt DeLisi, Iowa State University

"What Robinson and Beaver have achieved is striking. Not only do they integrate a sound understanding of biology's role in criminal conduct into a broader biosocial paradigm, but they do so in a way readers will find accessible. This book will certainly draw the ire of some, but for serious students of crime it will force a reconsideration of cherished beliefs. For this reason alone, Why Crime? makes a valuable contribution to the study of crime." ― Dr. John Paul Wright, University of Cincinnati

"[T]he most ambitious, comprehensive interdisciplinary attempt so far to move integration of criminological theory to new heights." ― Drs. Mark Lanier, University of Central Florida and Stuart Henry, Wayne State University

"[E]ngaging, extremely well written, [a] major contribution to criminology… a tour de force for the criminologist who wants to learn something about the biosocial perspective." ― Dr. Anthony Walsh, Boise State University

"[The] integrated systems theory ... serves as an example of some of the best work now being done in the area of theory integration." Dr. Frank Schmalleger, University of North Carolina―Pembroke, professor emeritus, and Justice Research Association, director

Matthew B. Robinson is a Professor in the Department of Government and Justice Studies at Appalachian State University.

Kevin Beaver is an Associate Professor in the College of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Florida State University.