Summary

This book provides a comprehensive and up to date introduction to criminological theory for students taking courses in criminology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The text is divided into four parts, the first three of which address ideal type models of criminal behaviour - the rational actor, predestined actor, and victimised actor models. Within these the various criminological theories are located chronologically in the context of one of these different traditions, and the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and model are clearly identified. The fourth part of the book looks more closely at more recent attempts to integrate theoretical elements from both within and across models of criminal behaviour.