ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part shows the student of environmental criminology that the study of the phenomenon is far from new. It provides one of the longest standing theories in spatial criminology: social disorganization theory. Social disorganization theory is not as straightforward as many people believe. Social disorganization theory has many nuances and subtleties that make it difficult to understand and test properly. When studying criminology, one of the things the beginning student will notice is the plethora of theories used to explain criminal behavior. Any textbook on the introduction to criminology or criminological theory will present the Classical School, the Positivist School, differential association, anomie, subculture, labeling, conflict, social control, social learning, and life-course explanations for why criminals partake in crime.
