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taking stock the status of criminological theory
p criminology is in a period of much theoretical ferment . older theories have been revitalized and newer theories have been set forth . the very richness of our thinking about crime however leads to questions about the relative merits of these competing paradigms . accordingly in this volume advocates of prominent theories are asked to take stock of their perspectives . their challenge is to assess the empirical status of their theory and to map out future directions for theoretical development . p the volume begins with an assessment of three perspectives that have long been at the core of criminology social learning theory control theory and strain theory . drawing on these traditions two major contemporary macro level theories of crime have emerged and are here reviewed institutional anomie theory and collective efficacy theory . critical criminology has yielded diverse contributions discussed in essays on feminist theories radical criminology peacemaking criminology and the effects of racial segregation . the volume includes chapters examining moffitts insights on life course persistent adolescent limited anti social behavior and sampson and laubs life course theory of crime . in addition david farrington provides a comprehensive assessment of the adequacy of the leading developmental and life course theories of crime . p finally taking stock presents essays that review the status of perspectives that have direct implications for the use of criminological knowledge to control crime . taken together these chapters provide a comprehensive update of the fields leading theories of crime . the volume will be of interest to criminological scholars and will be ideal for classroom use in courses reviewing contemporary theories of criminal behavior .