Criminality Theories and Behavioral Images

Abstract

Theories of criminality are derived from distinct images of human behavior. A theory's scientific value is a function of the validity of these images. Six types of "monistic" criminality theory are distinguishable on the basis of their imagery. "Integrative" theories, which evoke a complex image to unite data underlying diverse monistic theories, are more useful than "pluralistic" theories, which preserve images. Criticisms of "differential association" as an integrative theory are avoided by a "differential identification" theory of criminality.