The Craft of Criminology

Book excerpt: Travis Hirschi is one of the most cited criminologists of the twentieth century, yet it is remarkable how little is known about his life and career. Known as spokesperson for social control theory, Hirschi has been a controversial figure. He has challenged popular theories in criminal career research as well as the need for longitudinal studies of offenders and criminal justice policies. For Hirschi, ideas are always tied to the mode of investigation and the mode of investigation is always tied to substantive concerns. Thus, substantive theoretical contribution and research methodology have been the twin driving forces throughout his career. John Laub's introduction combines a discerning account of Hirschi's life and work, accompanied by an interview with the author. He divides the volume into four parts. Part 1, "Methodological Issues," includes two essays, "Principles of Causal Analysis" and "False Criteria of Causality in Delinquency Research," coauthored with Hanan C. Selvin, "The Methodological Adequacy of Longitudinal Research on Crime," coauthored with Michael R. Gottfredson, and Hirschi's "Procedural Rules and the Study of Deviant Behavior." Part 2, "Causes and Correlates of Crime and Delinquency," encompasses Hirschi's "A Control Theory of Delinquency," "Causes and Prevention of Delinquency," and "Family Structure and Crime"; with Rodney Stark, "Hellfire and Delinquency"; with Michael J. Hindelang, "Intelligence and Delinquency: A Revisionist Review"; with Michael Gottfredson, "Age and the Explanation of Crime." Part 3, "A General Theory of Crime," consists of "The Distinction between Crime and Criminality," "The Generality of Deviance," "Causes of White Collar Crime," and "Control Theory and the Life Course Perspective," all coauthored with Michael R. Gottfredson. Part 4, "Critiques of Theories and Research in Criminology," consists of Hirschi's "Separate and Unequal is Better," along with "The True Value of Lambda Would Appear to be Zero," "Rethinking the Juvenile Justice System," and "National Crime Control Policies," all coauthored with Michael Gottfredson.