ABSTRACT

This chapter recounts classic debates in the field of criminology that took place decades ago, while covering some relatively recent issues. One issue impacting the prevalence of debates is that, more and more, criminology is becoming a siloed field of study where factions break off, socialize with one another, publish in their favorite journals, and do not interact with those who might disagree with them. In criminology, particularly toward the end of the 19th century, there was a trend toward "general" theories of crime. Learning theory also falls under the rubric of general theory. Edwin Sutherland's differential association theory was an example of a general theory, one meant to explain all forms of crime and antisocial behavior, from street theft to white-collar swindling. A final debate is the most recent in criminology, having been hashed out in the pages of Criminology just a few years ago.