Criminological Theories

Designed for undergraduate criminology and criminological theory courses, Criminological Theories: Understanding Crime in America, Second Edition explores crime, crime theory, and various forms of criminal behavior within the United States. It focuses exclusively on theory, avoiding superfluous discussion of the criminal justice system. Students will come away from the text with plausible explanations of crime causation, a greater appreciation of criminological theory, and the ability to think critically about the social reality of crime. Current and highly relevant, the text includes coverage of new developments in the field of criminology, including cultural, integrative, life-course, and green criminological theories. Student-friendly but comprehensive, Criminological Theories presents the most current crime statistics and research findings with contemporary examples of reported crime. Every chapter in this thought-provoking text opens with an outline and concludes with critical-thinking questions to ensure concept retention and student comprehension. Accessible and thorough, Criminological Theories: Understanding Crime in America, Second Edition is an essential resource for students to understand the motivation of criminal behavior.
Revised edition of the author's Criminological theories, first published in 2002.
Dr. James F. Anderson has over 16 years of experience teaching undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. He received a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from The George J. Beto College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University and a Masters' in Criminology from Alabama State University. Prior to coming to ECU, he was Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology and Anthropology. He was also a Graduate (Doctoral) Research Fellow at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in Washington, D.C. and tenured as an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University in the Department of Police Studies. Dr. Anderson has several publications in the area of criminal justice and criminological related issues. His scholarship appears in books, book chapters, and scholarly articles in journals such as the Journal of Crime and Justice, Journal of Criminal Justice, Contemporary Journal of Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Studies, Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Contemporary Law and Justice Journal, Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology and others.