Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach, 12th edition

Published by Pearson (March 6, 2020) © 2021

  • Curt R. Bartol
  • Anne M. Bartol

eTextbook

C$57.99

  • Easy-to-use search and navigation
  • Add notes and highlights
  • Flashcards help streamline study sessions

For courses in criminal behavior, criminology and forensic psychology.

A comprehensive psychological approach to criminal and antisocial behavior

Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach offers an accurate, well-researched introduction to the field. Coming from a psychological perspective, the authors take a detailed look at crime, what may lead to it and how criminal behavior may be prevented.

The 12th Edition features increased coverage of contemporary issues, including bias and hate crimes, human trafficking, sexual assault, cyberbullying and mass killings.

Hallmark features of this title

A focus on the psychology of crime and criminal behavior

  • Guidance is offered through the lens of complex subject matter, from theories of crime to specific categories of offenses.
  • Factors influencing criminal behavior are explored, including psychological, social, economic, political and ecological influences.
  • Psychological concepts such as resilience, moral disengagement, and tactics like nerve management and neutralization are covered in depth.

Pedagogical tools

  • Topical boxes on contemporary issues and recent research encourage discussion.
  • Cumulative risk/cascade models help students envision the risk of developing antisocial behavior.
  • Study tools such as review questions and boxed features help learners interpret core material.

New and updated features of this title

Contemporary, controversial issues

  • NEW: Racial justice and ethnic issues are explored, particularly in sections on crime and victimization data, service to victims and law enforcement responses.
  • NEW: Recent and upcoming court decisions on the death penalty provide context for the material. The authors also consider the role of psychologists in examining competency for execution.
  • UPDATED: The section on cyberbullying now includes research on bullies, a dominant model for prediction and approaches to prevention.

Expanded discussion of violence

  • EXPANDED: Discussions of domestic terrorism, bias or hate crimes, political crimes, human trafficking and cybercrimes are expanded upon in the 12th edition.
  • EXPANDED: Coverage of sexual assault is more pronounced in this edition. Topics include the investigation of campus incidents and assaults in immigration detention centers.
  • EXPANDED: Gun violence coverage includes direct attention to mass killings and active shooter incidents, as well as greater attention to threat assessment.
  1. Introduction to Criminal Behavior
  2. Origins of Criminal Behavior: Developmental Risk and Protective Factors
  3. Origins of Criminal Behavior: Biological/Neurological Factors
  4. Origins of Criminal Behavior: Learning and Situational Factors
  5. Human Aggression and Violence
  6. Juvenile Delinquency
  7. Psychopathy
  8. Crime and Mental Disorders
  9. Homicide, Assault, and Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  10. Multiple Murder, School, and Workplace Violence
  11. Psychology of Modern Terrorism
  12. Sexual Assault
  13. Sexual Assault of Children and Youth
  14. Burglary, Home Invasions, Thefts, and "White-Collar" Offenses
  15. Violent Economic Crime, Cybercrime, and Crimes of Intimidation

About our authors

Curt R. Bartol was a college professor in psychology for over 30 years, teaching a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. He earned his PhD in personality/social psychology from Northern Illinois University and studied political science and law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under a fellowship from the National Institute for the Humanities (NIH). He was instrumental in creating and launching a graduate program in forensic psychology at Castleton State College and served as its director for six years. As a licensed clinical psychologist, he has long been a consulting police psychologist to local, municipal, state and federal law enforcement agencies. In addition to Criminal Behavior, he has coauthored Introduction to Forensic Psychology (now in its 5th edition); Psychology and Law (2nd edition); Juvenile Delinquency and Antisocial Behavior (3rd edition); and Criminal and Behavioral Profiling. He was editor of Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal for 17 years. He also co-edited Current Perspectives in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior (3rd edition).

Anne M. Bartol earned an MA and PhD in criminal justice from State University of New York at Albany and an MA in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She taught criminal justice, sociology and journalism courses over a 20-year college teaching career. She began her professional career as a social worker in child and adolescent protective services and also worked as a journalist. In addition to Criminal Behavior, she coauthored Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Psychology and Law, Juvenile Delinquency, and Criminal and Behavioral Profiling. She served as book review editor and managing editor of Criminal Justice and Behavior and co-edited Current Perspectives in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior. Besides news stories and essays, she has published articles on women and criminal justice, rural courts and the history of forensic psychology.

Need help? Get in touch

Pearson+

All in one place. Pearson+ offers instant access to eTextbooks, videos and study tools in one intuitive interface. Students choose how they learn best with enhanced search, audio and flashcards. The Pearson+ app lets them read where life takes them, no wi-fi needed. Students can access Pearson+ through a subscription or their MyLab or Mastering course.

Video
Play
Privacy and cookies
By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Pearson eTextbook: What’s on the inside just might surprise you

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s the same with your students. Meet each one right where they are with an engaging, interactive, personalized learning experience that goes beyond the textbook to fit any schedule, any budget, and any lifestyle.