Book SummaryCriminology, by Peter Joyce

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Criminology

Accurately defining the extent of behavior that is deemed criminal requires meticulous measurement and identification.

This section explores the fundamental principles and methodologies for assessing unlawful behavior. The book explores various theoretical frameworks for understanding criminal behavior and the practical methods employed to measure how widespread crime is in society. The author emphasizes the complex task of defining crime and the obstacles in measuring it, highlighting how societal frameworks and the allocation of power in legal decisions mold the concept of crime.

Theoretical models provide understanding of the motivations for criminal behavior and infractions.

Classicist, positivist, and other criminological perspectives on what drives criminal behavior

Joyce begins his examination by considering the conventional perspective on criminology that emerged in the late 1700s. The Italian theorist Cesare Beccaria and the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham proposed that individuals have the capacity for logical reasoning and deliberately consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding on a course of action. Therefore, they suggested that the creation of a consistent and dependable system of criminal justice, where the consequences of unlawful behavior outweigh the potential gains, would reduce the inclination to commit crimes. For proponents of classical criminology theories, the uncertainty of potential consequences acts as an incentive for engaging in criminal activities.

The late 19th-century emergence of positivist criminology posits that criminal behavior is dictated by factors beyond an individual's control. Joyce explores a variety of viewpoints stemming from the positivist tradition, which draw upon the foundational disciplines of biology, psychology, and sociology. Biological theories, which trace back to the work of Cesare Lombroso, suggest that individuals with certain physical characteristics or "stigmata" indicative of a more primitive or less evolved biological state are more predisposed to participate in unlawful activities. The understanding that criminal behavior can stem from mental health problems and distress experienced in early life, which reside in the subconscious, has been influenced by the contributions of Sigmund Freud to theory. Theories in sociology, such as the concept of anomie introduced by Durkheim and Merton's theory of social strain, emphasize the influence of adverse social conditions, including poverty and limited opportunities, on criminal conduct. Joyce examines sociological theories in greater detail, including the viewpoint of the Chicago School on social disorganization and the idea that criminal behavior is acquired through social interactions, as well as acknowledging the conditions that facilitate the commission of crimes.

Evaluating the extent of criminal behavior.

The traits and constraints associated with documented information regarding criminal conduct.

Joyce clarifies that the fundamental understanding of the prevalence of crime in a society comes from the documented instances of illegal acts that individuals have communicated to the authorities. The number of crimes that occur and the figures that are officially recorded often diverge, a discrepancy commonly known as the "hidden aspect of criminality." The division occurs at various stages, such as...

Criminology Summary Different types of criminal behavior

The section delves into a range of behaviors linked to criminal activities, especially those that attract considerable public attention and pose unique challenges to law enforcement and the courts. Joyce explores the complexities of how criminal behavior evolves, scrutinizing various crimes from serial killings to business deceit, as well as the workings of organized crime groups.

A series of murders is committed by persons referred to as serial killers.

The motivations that propel serial murderers.

Joyce notes a considerable fascination with people who repeatedly commit murders over an extended period, often using a distinctive approach, and are identified as serial killers with a consistent pattern. The author notes that what sets serial killings apart is the presence of significant intervals of dormancy that occur between individual murders, distinguishing them from mass and spree killings. Joyce explores various criminological theories to understand what drives serial killers, which can include financial gain commonly associated with contract killers, the quest for thrill or gratification, a craving for control and power, mental disorders like schizophrenia or...

Criminology Summary Initiatives aimed at preventing and detecting unlawful behavior.

The text then shifts focus to strategies that can be implemented to deter criminal behavior, examining different methods to prevent illegal activities and reliably pinpoint those responsible for them. Joyce explores the complexities associated with strategies aimed at preventing crime that emphasize environmental elements and also takes into account the impact of societal factors. He also explores the diverse array of instruments and methods essential for uncovering illegal activities, highlighting the significant contribution of forensic science, technology, and informants to the investigative process.

Strategies to prevent criminal behavior.

Strategies aimed at minimizing the potential for criminal behavior.

Joyce analyzes strategies that alter environments to increase barriers to criminal activity, focusing on decreasing the chances for offenses to occur by making them more challenging to commit, improving the likelihood of detection, and reducing the motivations for undertaking unlawful actions. The writer provides specific examples, such as the removal of targets through the use of electronic payroll systems, bolstering security with strategies designed to...

Criminology Summary The entity tasked with upholding legal standards and dispensing justice.

The passage examines the essential components of the judicial system, focusing on the roles, responsibilities, and complexities of the organizations responsible for enforcing laws and ensuring a fair and unbiased response to criminal behavior. Joyce offers an in-depth examination of law enforcement, the judiciary, and the systems of punishment and rehabilitation, emphasizing the difficulties they encounter in balancing objectives such as reducing crime, ensuring fair legal processes, and helping offenders re-enter society.

Officers charged with the enforcement of legal statutes

The principle of securing community support for law enforcement activities and upholding impartial processes.

Joyce delves into the duties of law enforcement agencies, which include preventing crime, conducting investigations into offenses, and initiating legal action against individuals charged with crimes. He emphasizes the foundational importance of the community's readiness and cooperation as the cornerstone of the police's authority.

The author outlines how the idea that policing in England and Wales relies on a foundation of mutual consent has developed. The strategy emphasizes a law...