Psychology and Crime Understanding and tackling Offending Behaviour

Society today is fascinated by crime. Crime is a hot topic in the media, so that people are continually exposed to criminal events, portrayals of those who commit them, and the suffering of victims. Yet the reality of crime is often very different from how it is portrayed in the media. Most crime is neither violent nor morbid; most offenders are not psychopaths, and although prison generally does not work, there may well be other, less punitive but more constructive interventions that are actually quite effective.

This book exposes some of the most prevalent myths about crime and criminal behaviour. In addition it provides the reader with up-to-date knowledge on crime and offending behaviour. It also highlights the ways in which psychological methods of research and psychological knowledge can help us to understand criminal behaviour and the ways that targeted interventions are developed based upon this.

Pakes’ and Winstone’s Psychology and Crime is essential reading for students taking courses in the psychology of crime, criminal and forensic psychology, criminology, and community justice, as well as for other courses where a knowledge of the complex relationship between psychology and crime – and its application in practice – is required. Practitioners and policy-makers will also find it highly informative.

gives an overview of psychological theories relating to criminal and anti-social behaviour
considers the role of society in producing crime and in deciding what is a crime in the first place
applies psychological theories in relation to key topic areas and types of offence


Contents
About the authors
Introduction
1 Why do people offend? psychological and sociological explanations
2 The criminal mind: understanding criminals from their scene of crime
3 Pathways into crime: understanding juvenile offending
4 Aggression and violence
5 Sexual violence: from theory into practice
6 Insanity, mental health and the criminal justice system
7 Stalkers and their victims
8 The psychology of addiction - are there more questions than answers? (by Aaron Pycroft)
9 Date rape and drugs
10 Can prison ever work?
11 Victims and the fear of crime
References
Index