Introduction to Criminology

Introduction to Criminology: Why Do They Do It?, 4th Edition, authored by Pamela J. Schram, Joseph A. Schwartz, and Stephen G. Tibbetts, offers students an introductory resource for studying criminal conduct. The textbook applies established criminological theories directly to real-life examples to assist students in understanding why offenders engage in criminal acts.

This Fourth Edition addresses recent societal developments that impact modern patterns of criminal behavior. The authors examine shifts in crime trends emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic alongside social movements following the George Floyd protests. Additional coverage highlights ongoing discussions regarding mass shooting events as well as changing legal statutes surrounding marijuana use.

A key structural feature of the volume is the integration of violent and property crimes directly into its theoretical chapters. This approach supports students as they evaluate criminological theoretical perspectives against specific categories of illegal acts within introductory coursework.