The Psychology of Criminal Conduct

By James Bonta, D.A. Andrews, D.A. Andrews

Book Overview

The Psychology of Criminal Conduct, Fifth Edition , discusses the psychology of criminal behavior, drawing upon general personality, as well as cognitive-behavioral and cognitive social learning perspectives. The book consists of 15 chapters, which are organized into four sections. Part 1 provides an overview of theoretical context and major knowledge base of the psychology of criminal conduct. Part 2 discusses the eight major risk/need factors of criminal conduct. Part 3 examines the prediction and classification of criminal behavior, along with prevention and rehabilitation. Part 4 summarizes the major issues in understanding criminal conduct. In addition to senior undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals in psychology, this book may be helpful to students and practitioners in the fields of social work, sociology, education, health, youth and family studies, criminology, and youth and adult justice. The book is also accessible to members of the general public who are interested in understanding antisocial behavior. Resource notes throughout explain important concepts. Technical notes at the back of the book allow the advanced student to explore complex research without distracting readers from the main points. An acronym index is also provided.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870847112
• ISBN13: 9780870847110
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 7.3" x 0.8"

Customer Reviews

New Theory, Narrow Scientific Path, Rejection of Psychopathology

Authors developed an original theory that underwrites the book. They firmly reject the Freudian psychiatry and psychopathology schools. Other survey texts offer broader theoretical contents and devote entire chapters to psychopathology. I'm donating my PB edition to Escondido Public Library because at this point in my digestion I'm more aligned to what these authors call "literary" approaches.

A great buy

Andrews and Bonta capture the essence of modern thinking about "What works" in criminal justice. They present a detailed history of how the "nothing works" thinking influenced the administration of corrections and justice. They also provide a wonderfully succinct guide to factors which are the important components of effective programming with offenders. Everyone who works with offenders should read this.

Great for Research!

I thought this book was superbly written. As an undergraduate student, I found this book extremely helpful in my forensic psychology seminar, as well as interesting. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in criminology and/or psychology.