This edited volume is designed to cover both the foundations of criminal behavior as well as 'cutting edge' research on the etiology, nature, assessment, and treatment of individuals who commit violent crime. Interdisciplinary in nature, this text draws from research in clinical psychology, social psychology, criminal justice, medicine, and biology. Equal consideration is given to environmental and biological research into criminal behavior. Furthermore, this text takes a critical approach to the research with frank discussions of what is known and what is yet to be determined, and presents this material in a straightforward manner that will challenge students to think critically.
Christopher J. Ferguson is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Psychology at Stetson University. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles on the topic of video game and other media violence. His research has generally not indicated significant associations with harmful outcomes in children due to media violence exposure. He has served as Guest Editor for two American Psychological Association journals on the topic of video games. In 2013, he was awarded an early-career scientist award from the Media Psychology division of the American Psychological Association. He lives near Orlando, Florida, with his wife and son.
Preface Part I. Causes of Crime 1. Violent Crime Research: An Introduction - Christopher J. Ferguson 2. Family and Social Influences on Violent Crime - John C. Kilburn, Jr., Jenifer Lee 3. Media Violence Effects and Violent Crime: Good Science or Moral Panic? - Christopher J. Ferguson 4. Evolutionary and Genetic Explanations of Violent Crime - Martin Gottschalk, Lee Ellis 5. The Biochemistry of Violent Crime - Kevin M. Beaver 6. Brain Injuries and Violent Crime - Jose Leon-Carrion, Francisco Javier Chacartegui-Ramos Part II. The Offenders 7. Violence Among School-Aged Youth: An Examination of School, Gang, Dating, and Sexual Violence - Cricket Meehan, Patricia Kerig 8. Violence and the Elderly - Jeanette M. Daly 9. Beyond Violence Against Women: Gender Inclusiveness in Domestic Violence Research, Policy, and Practice - Sarah L. Desmarais, Andrea Gibas, Tonia L. Nicholls 10. Physical Child Abuse - Mary E. Haskett, Sharon G. Portwood, Kristen M. Lewis 11. Sexual Offenders - Karen G. Terry, Orestis Giotakos, Maria Tsiliakou, Alissa R. Ackerman 12. Hate Crimes - Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld 13. Murder in a Comparative Context - Jennifer Schwartz 14. Serial Murder - Maria Ioannou Part III. Victims, Prevention, and Treatment 15. Victimology - Arthur J. Lurigio 16. Prevention and Treatment of Violent Offending/Offenders - Mary Clair, Lisa Faille, Joseph V. Penn Index About the Editor About the Contributors