Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Stephen Lyng is an American sociologist best known for his development of the concept of edgework, which explores voluntary risk-taking and the emotional thrills associated with transgressive behavior. He has held academic positions at multiple universities and has contributed significantly to the fields of cultural criminology, deviance, and the sociology of risk. Lyng’s work draws
Jack Katz is an American sociologist and criminologist best known for his phenomenological approach to crime and deviance. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he taught sociology and criminology for several decades. Katz’s work stands out for its emphasis on the emotional, moral, and sensual dynamics of criminal
Edwin M. Lemert was an American sociologist best known for his foundational contributions to the sociology of deviance and the development of labeling theory. Trained in sociology and anthropology, Lemert taught at institutions such as the University of California, focusing on social problems, deviant behavior, and the role of societal reaction in shaping identity. Lemert
Frank Tannenbaum was an American historian, journalist, and sociologist whose interdisciplinary work bridged criminal justice, labor history, and Latin American studies. Though he did not work as a criminologist in the strict academic sense, his theoretical contribution to the sociology of deviance – especially through his concept of the dramatization of evil – laid important
Gresham M. Sykes was an American sociologist and criminologist renowned for his pioneering work in prison sociology and theories of deviance. He taught at institutions such as Princeton University and was instrumental in shifting the focus of criminology towards sociological and interactionist perspectives. His work continues to shape the study of correctional institutions and social
David Matza (1930–2018) was an American sociologist and criminologist best known for his contributions to the sociology of deviance and juvenile delinquency. As a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Matza developed influential theoretical concepts, including Drift Theory, which challenged deterministic explanations of criminal behavior. His work bridged structural and interactionist perspectives, emphasizing the