Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
The Situational Action Theory (SAT) developed by the Swedish criminologist Per-Olof H. Wikström explains criminal behavior as the result of a decision-making process within specific social situations. According to the theory, crime occurs when individuals with a certain crime propensity encounter situations in which rule-breaking is perceived as a possible course of action. At the
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 theory explains crime as the result of rational decision-making, where individuals weigh the expected costs of punishment against the potential benefits of offending. The central aim of deterrence is to prevent crime by increasing the perceived risks associated with criminal behavior. Key Points Deterrence Theory Main Proponents: Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Franz von Liszt,
Rational Choice Theory explains crime as the result of deliberate, goal-oriented decision-making. Offenders weigh expected benefits against anticipated costs and choose to commit crime when it appears to maximize their personal utility. Key Points Rational Choice Theory Main Proponents: Gary S. Becker, Derek Cornish, Ronald Clarke First Formulations: 1960s–1980s Country of Origin: United States, United
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