Book Review of Criminology (2Nd Edition)
Tara Harrison · International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences · 2014
Book Review of Criminology (2nd Edition) Criminology (2nd Edition). (2014) Frank Schmalleger, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 312 pages. ISBN-13: 978-0132966757.According to Schmalleger, information contained within this text is, engaging to students, and focuses on key learning objectives (pg. xiii). It consists of thirteen chapters containing charts and graphs. Chapter titles include, What is Criminology? Understanding Crime and Criminals (1), Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior - It's How We Think (4), Social Structure - It's How We Live (5), Social Conflict - It's How We Relate (7), Crimes against Persons - It's What We Fear (8), White-Collar and Organized Crime - Crime as a Job (10), Public Order and Drug Crimes-Recreational Offences (11), Technology and Crime - It's a Double-Edged Sword (12), and Globalization and Terrorism - Our Small World (13). Review questions and informative website addresses are provided at the end of each chapter.For years, people have been fascinated by violent crime. Consequently, criminality has become a source of entertainment. This phenomenon is used effectively by Schmalleger to encourage his readers to examine crime, its changing definitions, and its various forms. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that conflicting viewpoints about crime-causation exists. This diversity of opinion is considered a strength by Schmalleger since it provides insight into the many motivations behind contemporary crime. It is within this exploration that the author considers current rates, ultimately concluding that we may be on the cusp of a new cycle of increased crime (p. 13). The early chapters of this text will prove especially valuable to readers since it is there that the author delves into a number of explanations for violent and bizarre behaviors.The thematic question that permeates this work in its entirety and begs to be answered is, why do people commit crime? It is within the context of this question that gender, genetic makeup, body-type, and other physiological characteristics are analyzed as contributory factors to criminality. Pertaining to diet and its affect on the body's chemistry, researchers have pointed to the role of excess sugar consumption in causation (p. 49). Experiments testing the relationship between nutrition and criminality have revealed that individuals receiving proper nutrients (akin to a well-balanced diet) displayed a 47% reduction in antisocial activity as opposed to those that received placebos (p. 48). Additionally, the possibility of a biological component to criminality is explored. In particular, studies examining the brain have revealed potential predictors of future criminality (p. 52). Also presented is the possibility for the existence of a gene and the implications that such a discovery would have on public policy, policing and correctional intervention.Schmalleger acknowledges society's growing anxiety about criminality and the burgeoning industry centering on the sale of goods and services that promote personal safety and security. …