Great Debates in Criminology

Great Debates documents the development of criminology's critical theory, research, and policy tensions. The book provides an important bird's eye view of where we've been and where we're going. It's a handbook that should be on every criminologist's desk.

- Joshua C. Cochran, Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati

This well-researched and highly stimulating book presents excellent reviews of great debates in criminology, including sociological versus psychological perspectives, social control versus social learning, and criminal careers versus criminal propensity. It also reviews methodological debates (e.g. on trajectory analysis) and policy implications. It should be mandatory reading for all criminologists!

- David P. Farrington, Emeritus Professor of Psychological Criminology, University of Cambridge

If there is anything that criminologists can agree on is that we enjoy spirited debates about the causes and correlates of crime as well as the policy decisions that need to be made in dealing with crime. It is appropriate, then, that we have a volume that nicely presents the different points of view on key criminological and criminal justice matters. Posick and Rocque develop what I believe to be the book that students will learn from and by challenged by as they delve into the heart of the either/or views on crime, one that provides an objective presentation of the sides and their facts.

- Alex R. Piquero, Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology, The University of Texas at Dallas

Posick and Rocque provide a unique point-counterpoint overview of the leading concepts and various assumptions framing major explanations of crime. In a chronological unfolding of classical statements to contemporary perspectives, Great Debates in Criminology leads readers through an ideologically balanced, empirically informed, and engaging introduction to theoretical criminology.

- J. Mitchell Miller, Editor of the American Journal of Criminal Justice