The Psychology of Criminal and Violent Behaviour

by David R. Lyon, Andrew Welsh

Overview

This indispensable introduction to the psychological theories of criminality and violence examines how both psychology and biology play a role in understanding what may drive individuals to commit crime. Drawing on relevant research, real-world examples, and gripping case studies, The Psychology of Criminal and Violent Behaviour applies theory to provide deep insight into criminal behaviour.

FEATURES

A theoretical approach helps students identify and understand key psychological theories and concepts

Accessible content: While theoretical in approach, the material is presented in a way that meets the needs of both psychology and criminology students

Coverage of both psychological and biological factors on a range of topics—including reactive and instrumental violence, aggression, psychopathy, social cognition, and more—explores how and why criminal and violent behaviour occur

"Researching Criminal and Violent Behaviour" boxes discuss important research and topics in the field, including the Danish adoption study, the Bobo doll experiments, the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide, attachment theory, threat/control-override symptoms, and cyberstalking

Diverse case studies on such notorious figures as Phineas Gage, Charles Whitman, Richard Ramirez, the Manson Family, Karla Homolka, and Ethan Couch provide real-world examples of criminal and violent behaviour and help students apply theory to real life

Chapters on homicide and interpersonal violence provide piercing insight into topics like aggression and violent behaviour, serial murder, school shootings, stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199010080
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/01/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David R. Lyon is Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Canada.

Andrew Welsh is Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University, Brantford, Canada.

Table of Contents

Each chapter includes learning objectives, a chapter-opening case study, an introduction, bolded key terms, a marginal glossary, "Researching Criminal and Violent Behaviour" boxes, a summary, review questions, and additional reading., Preface, Acknowledgments1. Introduction, Case StudiesWhat Is Criminal Behaviour? The Sociological Construction of Crime, Case Study: Robert BardoViolent BehaviourTheoretical PerspectivesScientific TheoriesOrganization of This Book2. Genetics and Evolution, Case Study: Jeffrey LandriganBehavioural Genetics, Case Study: The Kray BrothersPutting It All Together: Genetic Predispositions and Behavioural DestinyEvolution, Case Study: Christopher RocancourtSex DifferencesAge-Crime Curve3. Biology, Case Study: Chris BenoitThe Structure of the BrainBrain Injury and Criminal Behaviour: General EvidenceBrain Plasticity and Early Head InjurySpecific Brain Regions and Criminal Behaviour, Case Study: Phineas Gage, Case Study: Charles WhitmanPutting It All Together: The Prefrontal Cortex and Limbic SystemLateralized Hemispheric DysfunctionPutting It All Together: The Findings on LateralizationNeurochemistry and CriminalityPutting It All Together: Neurotransmitters and AggressionPsychophysiology and Crime4. Developmental Pathways, Case Study: Ethan CouchThe Stability of Criminal BehaviourMajor Developmental TheoriesEarly Childhood Factors and DelinquencyParental Practices and DelinquencyPeer and School Factors5. Personality, Case Study: Dr. Amy BishopThe Nature of PersonalityPsychodynamic Theories of PersonalityAttachment and Personality, Case Study: Aileen WuornosThe Trait PerspectivePersonality Disorders, Case Study: Rorschach6. Psychopathy, Case Study: Clifford Robert OlsonThe Clinical Description of Psychopathy, Case Study: Adremy DennisAssessing PsychopathyEmpirical Links between Psychopathy and Criminal Behaviour, Case Study: "Dave"Psychopathy and Gender, Case Study: Joanna DennehyPsychopathy and Crime across the LifespanPsychopathy across CultureTheoretical Explanations of the Psychopathy-Crime LinkPutting It All Together: A "Perfect Storm" for Crime7. Learning, Case Study: Devalon ArmstrongClassical Conditioning, Case Study: Richard RamirezOperant ConditioningObservational LearningThe Effects of Violent MediaDifferential Association-Reinforcement Theory, Case Study: Henry HillPutting It All Together: DA-Reinforcement Theory in Action8. Social Cognition, Case Study: Umar Farouk AbdulmutallabMoral ReasoningMoral DisengagementCriminal ThinkingHostile Thoughts and AffectSocial Interactions, Case Study: Lynndie England and US Military Personnel at Abu GhraibSocial Information Processing TheoriesEnactment of Antisocial and Violent Behaviours, Case Study: George Zimmerman and Trayvon MartinPutting It All Together: The General Aggression Model9. Mental Disorder, Case Study: Rene PooleSystems for Classifying Mental DisordersMajor Mental DisordersMental Disorder and CrimePutting It All Together: The Relationship of Mental Disorder and Crime in ContextThe Criminalization of Mental DisorderPutting It All Together: Making Sense of CriminalizationSymptom-Based Theories of Crime, Case Study: Margaret Mary Ray, Case Study: Vincent LiFactors Influencing the Relationship between Mental Disorder and CrimeMental Disorder Creates "Tense Situations" That Lead to Violence10. Substance Use, Case Study: Robert OsborneDrug Use and Its EffectsMajor Classes of DrugsGoldstein's Tripartite Model, Case Study: Pablo EscobarPutting It All Together: Making Sense of Psychopharmacological ViolenceTheories of the Alcohol-Violence Relationship, Case Study: Shia LaBeoufPutting It All Together: Integrating Theories of Alcohol-Related Aggression11. Homicide, Case Study: The Manson Family MurdersTheoretical Models of Homicide, Case Study: The La Loche ShooterHomicide in the FamilyMultiple Murder, Case Study: The Green River Killer, Case Study: The Jonestown Massacre, Case Study: Adam Lanza and the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting12. Interpersonal Violence, Case Study: Ray RiceStalkingIntimate Partner ViolenceTheories of Stalking and Intimate Partner ViolenceSexual Violence13. Assessment and Treatment, Case Study: Karla HomolkaRisk of OffendingRisk Assessment of OffendersThe Clinical Versus Actuarial DebatePutting It All Together: Good Risk Assessment PracticesTreatment of Offenders, Case Study: Darnell Pratt and Brendan SarginsonHow Effective Are Offender Treatment Programs? Putting It All Together: Effective Programs in Practice, Glossary, References, Index