Book Review: Theories of Delinquency: An Examination of Explanations of Delinquent Behavior (5th ed.)

• Author: Mario Davila
• DOI: 10.1177/1541204005276262
• Published date: 01 July 2005
• Date: 01 July 2005
• Subject Matter: Articles

Youth Violence and Juvenile JusticeBOOK REVIEW

Book Review

Theories of delinquency: An examination of explanations of delinquent behavior (5th ed.), by David J.

Shoemaker. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. 320 pp., $29.95 (paper).

DOI: 10.1177/1541204005276262

10.1177/1541204005276262

What people know and understand about crime and delinquency varies from one generation to

the next and from one culture to another. David J. Shoemaker attempts to explain criminal and delin-

quent behavior via a large spectrum spanning many generations and cultures. As with his previous

editions, Shoemaker covers every major criminological theory. However, in this 5th edition, Shoe-

maker updates the literature and includes the most recent developments in delinquency theory, which

include developmental theories of delinquency.

The Nature and Extent of Delinquency

In chapter 1, Shoemaker begins the book by informing readers of the current state of delin-

quency in the media, as well as how current delinquency rates compare to those of the 1980s. Shoe-

maker discusses the idea that juveniles are no longer solely a product of the underclass. Shoemaker

also differentiates between delinquency and status offenses.

Shoemaker effortlessly shifts focus to the history and existence of juvenile crime citing the

work of Wiley Sanders before turning his attention to the issue of causality. Within this section, The

Issue of Causality, Shoemaker demonstrates the ability of the positive school to elevate the question

of causation in regards to crime and delinquency. Shoemaker engages in an example of broken homes

as a key variable used to explain the state of crime and delinquency. Shoemaker adds to this section

with the inclusion of the temporal order of causality and the cautions of underestimating spurious rela-

tionships between variables.

In the section, What is a Theory?, Shoemaker distinguishes the definitionsoftheory as used

and understood by laypersons, scientists, and philosophers of science. In addition, Shoemaker differ-

entiates between theories used to explain individual behavior (microtheories) and theories used to ex-

plain the collective behavior of persons (macrotheories).

In the section Verification of Theories, Shoemaker explains the importance of testing the valid-

ity of a theory’s concepts and propositions. He further adds to this section by giving examples of test-

ing a theory’s validity and logical consistency.

The Classical School

Chapter 2 covers the classical school of criminology. The chapter is divided into two main sec-

tions: Historical Overview and Rational Choice Theory. In the first section of the chapter, Historical

Overview, Shoemaker reviews key assumptions (hedonistic, pleasure vs. pain) as well as key con-

cepts (free will, rational choice) that are essential in any discussion of the classical school. Further-

more, Shoemaker does an equally admirable job discussing the major writers in the field of criminol-

ogy, most notably Cesare Beccaria (classical) and Jeremy Bentham (neo-classical). Shoemaker

distinguishes between authors and their research but gives both authors equal coverage in the chapter.

In the second section of the chapter, Rational Choice Theory, Shoemaker provides a more re-

cent explanation of criminality, rational choice theory, which is a modified version of classical theory.

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Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Vol. 3 No. 3, July 2005 276-282

© 2005 Sage Publications