Crime and Criminality: A Multidisciplinary Approach

822 Pages·2016·10.5 MB·English

by  Sandie Taylor

Crime and Criminality
The question of ‘why’ and ‘how’ certain individuals are drawn towards behav-
ing in a way that contravenes the ‘Law of the Land’ is not an easy one to
address. Researchers from various different fields have nevertheless attempted
to develop theoretical explanations for the existence of different types of crime
and why some individuals commit such acts. Crime and Criminality draws on
criminology, sociology, psychology and neuroscience to offer a balanced per-
spective of crime, the criminal and criminality. Coverage includes:
• a comprehensive discussion of theoretical approaches to criminal behav-
iour, including biological, social and ‘rational choice’ approaches;
• an analysis of legal and social definitions of crime and how these defini-
tions influence the way specific behaviours are labelled as criminal;
• an examination of different types of crime and criminals, from delinquents
to ‘psychopaths’ and sex offenders;
• an exploration of different ways in which crime is predicted, including
risk assessment and offender profiling and an overview of investigative
techniques.
Addressing a broad range of topics and offering a synthesis of competing
theoretical explanations of criminality, this book is essential reading for stu-
dents taking courses in criminology, criminal psychology, criminal behaviour,
forensic psychology and psychological criminology.
Sandie Taylor was a senior lecturer in psychology at Bath Spa University
until late 2012. Sandie’s teaching and research interests overlapped between
forensic/investigative/criminological psychology and developmental/biologi-
cal psychology. Specialist areas of teaching and research included forensic,
criminological and investigative psychology. Sandie is currently a visiting lec-
turer in psychology at the University of South Wales and a freelance writer on
psychology.
‘In this very impressive book Sandie Taylor successfully faces the challenge of
bringing a high-quality, multidisciplinary perspective to the vexing topic of
crime. Only very occasionally within a single book is such mastery of the wide
and sometimes conflicting literatures demonstrated. Having once, many years
ago, been Dr Taylor’s undergraduate supervisor, I am deeply proud of what
she has achieved here.’
Ray Bull, Professor of Criminal Investigation,
University of Derby, UK
‘The complexity of crime and its causes is increasingly being recognised.
Therefore, this timely account, that explores every corner of criminality and
explanations for it, is essential reading for all serious students of this topic that
so dominates both factual news and fictional creations.’
David Canter, Professor and Director, International Research
Centre for Investigative Psychology, University of Huddersfield, UK
‘This is a comprehensive and detailed book, which provides an accessible
overview of criminal behaviour and criminal investigation. The merits of a
multidisciplinary approach are highlighted clearly throughout this volume and
the book integrates divergent perspectives in an authoritative and thought-
provoking manner.’
Rachel Taylor, Principal Lecturer in Psychology,
University of South Wales, UK
Crime and Criminality
A multidisciplinary approach
Sandie Taylor
First published 2016
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2016 Sandie Taylor
The right of Sandie Taylor to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or
other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying
and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Taylor, Sandie.
Crime and criminality: a multidisciplinary approach / Sandie Taylor. – First Edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-138-88861-6 (hardback) – ISBN 978-1-138-88862-3 (pbk.)
– ISBN 978-1-315-71329-8 (ebook) 1. Criminal psychology. 2. Criminal
behavior. 3. Criminology. I. Title.
HV6080.T38 2016
364–dc23
2015019536
ISBN: 978-1-138-88861-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-88862-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-71329-8 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo by
Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire
In loving memory of my dad, Alexander Taylor
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
List of plates xiii
List of figures xiv
List of tables xvii
List of boxes xviii
Acknowledgements xxii
Introduction 1
Why is a multidisciplinary approach informative? 1
Nature–nurture spectrum 5
Multi-cultural approach 6
Understanding the criminal investigation process 6
Breakdown of parts and chapters 8
PART I
What is crime? 17
1 Defining and examining crime from different
perspectives 19
Introduction 20
Definitions of crime and criminal behaviour 23
Summary 67
Questions for discussion 69
2 Concepts in crime definition influencing crime
classification 70
Introduction 71
Classification of crime from statistics 74
Moral panics and fear of crime 84
viii Contents
Summary 117
Questions for discussion 120
PART II
Nature–nurture explanations of criminal
behaviour 121
3 Biological constraints and evolutionary factors 123
Introduction 124
Impact of genetic relatedness and influence on comorbidity 127
The influence of genes and chromosomes for criminality 141
Bio-neurochemistry 149
Brain studies 154
Evolutionary factors 158
Summary 160
Questions for discussion 162
4 Social, learning and developmental approaches to
understanding criminality 163
Introduction 164
Bronfenbrenner’s Developmental Ecosystem Model 166
Child and microsystem (the family) 171
Child and microsystem (the influence of peers) 194
Child and exosystem (media and law) 200
Child and macrosystem (culture) 204
Summary 207
Questions for discussion 209
5 Decision-making processes by criminals 210
Introduction 211
Historical perspectives of criminal decision making 214
Rational Choice Model 216
Other models of decision making 224
Criminal personality and how this influences thought 230
Neurocognitive and neurobiological brain research 234
Summary 238
Questions for discussion 240
Contents ix
PART III
Different types of crime and criminal with a
focus on nature, nurture and nature–nurture 241
6 White-collar criminals and their crimes 243
Introduction 244
What is white-collar crime? 245
Is the white-collar criminal different from other criminals? 248
Summary 250
Questions for discussion 252
7 Psychopaths and their crimes 253
Introduction 254
APD and psychopathy: are they synonymous? 258
Definition and classification of the psychopath 259
Social behaviour of the psychopath 266
Developmental pathway of psychopaths 282
Disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs): ADHD, CD and
ODD 284
Treatment for psychopaths 288
Summary 292
Questions for discussion 295
8 Sex offenders and their crimes 296
Introduction 297
Prevalence of sexual offending 298
How is violent sexual behaviour defined and classified? 303
Profiles of sex offenders 304
Classification of sexual offending behaviours 305
Why do sex offenders become rapists or paedophiles? 320
Can treatment intervention help cure sex offenders? 338
Summary 350
Questions for discussion 352
9 Female offenders and their crimes 353
Introduction 354
What do the crime statistics show? 355
How are gender differences in crime explained? 363
Differential treatment and attitudes towards the sexes in law 383