Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Women, Crime and Poverty (1988) is one of the most influential works of British criminologist Pat Carlen. Based on empirical research with women in the British criminal justice system, Carlen presents a groundbreaking feminist critique that links female criminality to structural poverty, social exclusion, and gender-specific forms of control. The book is considered a key
Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) is an evidence-based strategy that reduces crime by altering environmental conditions and increasing the perceived risks for offenders. It shifts the focus from changing offender motivation to managing the situations in which crimes occur. Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) represents a shift in criminological thinking from offender-focused explanations of crime toward a
Deterrence theories conceptualize crime as the result of rational decision-making, where the anticipated costs of punishment are weighed against the potential benefits of offending. Punishment is understood not merely as retribution but as a calculated instrument to prevent crime by shaping individual choice. Key Points Deterrence theories Main Proponents: Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Franz von
Rational Choice Theories interpret crime as the outcome of calculated, rational decisions in which offenders weigh expected benefits against anticipated costs. This approach assumes that individuals act with purpose, evaluating opportunities to maximize personal utility. Key Points Rational Choice Theory Main Proponents: Gary S. Becker, Derek Cornish, Ronald Clarke First Formulations: 1960s–1980s Country of Origin:
Seductions of Crime (1988) by Jack Katz is a landmark study that challenges conventional criminological theories by focusing on the subjective experiences, emotions, and immediate gratifications that accompany criminal acts. Rather than viewing crime solely through structural or rational-choice lenses, Katz analyzes the sensual and moral attractions that seduce offenders into transgressive behavior. His work