Criminal psychology is the application of the principles of normal and
abnormal psychology to the understanding, prediction, and control of
criminal behavior. Criminal Psychology: Nature, Nurture, Culture
provides an in-depth yet readable introduction to the foundations of
criminal psychology as it is understood and practiced from the classroom
to the courtroom. The book is organized into five sections. Part I
examines the nature and origins of criminal behavior. These chapters
outline the role of psychology in the criminal justice system, and
review the biology, psychology, and sociology of crime to develop a
naturalistic model of criminal behavior that can guide theory and
practice in law enforcement, criminal justice, and forensic evaluation.
Part II examines the major classes of mental disorder that may be
associated with criminal behavior, including psychotic disorders, mood
disorders, organic brain syndromes, substance abuse, and personality
disorders. Each chapter consists of a description of the syndrome,
followed by applications to law enforcement, criminal justice, and
forensic mental health issues of competency, sanity, and criminal
culpability. Part III deals with death. Topics include homicide, serial
murder, mass homicide, workplace and school violence, and terrorism.
Part IV covers sexual offenses and crimes within the family, including
rape and sexual assault, sex crimes against children, child battery,
domestic violence, and family homicide. Part V discusses the
psychological dynamics of a variety of common crimes, such as stalking
and harassment, theft and robbery, gang violence, organized crime,
arson, hate crimes, victimology, the psychology of corrections, and the
death penalty. Each chapter contains explanatory tables and sidebars
that illustrate the chapter's main topic with examples from real-life
cases and the media, and explore controversies surrounding particular
issues in criminal psychology, such as criminal profiling, sexual
predator laws, dealing with children who kill, psychotherapy with
incarcerated offenders, and the use of 'designer defenses' in court.
Grounded in thorough scholarship and written in a crisp, engaging style,
this volume is the definitive handbook and reference source for
forensic psychologists, mental health practitioners, attorneys, judges,
law enforcement professionals, and military personnel. It will also
serve as an authoritative core text for courses in forensic psychology,
criminology, and criminal justice practice.
