Criminological theory: context and consequences

by J. Robert Lilly, Francis T. Cullen, Richard A. Ball

The Fourth Edition of this highly successful text moves readers beyond often-mistaken common-sense understandings of crime by providing a rich introduction to how major scholars analyze crime. Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences, Fourth Edition shows the real-world relevance of theory by illuminating how ideas about crime play a prominent role in shaping crime-control policies and compelling students to apply theories to the contemporary milieu.

New to the Fourth Edition:

Freshens and revitalizes criminological theory: Expanding on the ideas presented in previous editions, every chapter has been updated with the most recent developments. Without diminishing the presentation of classical analysis, this edition revisits the context of society in the development of criminology and how the nature of the times affects which theories arise and become popular. Updates current policy and theorizes on possible policy implications for the future: With five new chapters, this edition provides the most comprehensive coverage of diverse criminological theories published to date. The range of theoretical and empirical updates covers mainstream criminology; critical criminology, including a separate chapter on feminist perspectives; and conservative criminology. The book also examines future policy implications brought about by recent theory. Allows students to be up-to-date on emerging paradigms: The book covers newer theories that explore human development and crime, including biosocial and life-course theories. This edition includes new chapter opening photos to enhance student understanding at the beginning of chapters and judiciously uses tables and grids to help students compare theory.

Ancillaries: IRCD: Instructor's Resource CD-ROM with test bank and Powerpoint slides are available to qualified instructors.

Intended Audience:

This is an excellent core textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying Criminological Theory in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, and law enforcement.

Genres: School, Textbooks, Nonfiction

574 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

James Robert Lilly is Regents Professor of Sociology/Criminology and Adjunct Professor of Law at Northern Kentucky University.

Reviews

[Christina Grosso]

Too many irrelevant anecdotes and attempts to be silly. Every single chapter looped around to describe the authors' opinions of rehabilitation which eventually became quite tired.

[Hibah Fatteh]

Why was there so much about British history. Despite technically being half British I could not care less about it. I get that some context is needed to really understand the theory but not that much

[Corin]

The seventh edition is quite good. Covers a broad range of perspectives with reasonable accuracy.

[Teresia Eidelstierna]

Kurslitteratur i kriminologi 1 på Stockholms universitet och Högskolan i Kristallen HT 2025-VT2026

[Gena]

awesome if you're into crim theory....or teach it to undergraduates

[Monica Tarrant]

Read for my sociology class - interesting read.

[Hanif Qureshi]

What a great summary of all extant theories of Crim. A masterpiece. Wonder why the 'god of criminology; is the second author though:)

[Basse]

One of the best books on criminological theory in the world!