The sociology of shoplifting : boosters and snitches today

Bibliographic Information

The sociology of shoplifting : boosters and snitches today

Lloyd W. Klemke

(Praeger series in criminology and crime control policy)

Praeger, 1992

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [139]-152) and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

In this absorbing study, Lloyd Klemke provides an up-to-date review and analysis of the sociological research and theoretical work on shoplifting. The analysis is structured by the three questions which dominate the sociology of deviance literature: (1) Who shoplifts and how do they do it? (the descriptive question); (2) why do they shoplift? (the etiological question); and (3) how do store personnel and the legal system deal with shoplifters? (the prevention/deterrence/labeling question). The author identifies the areas where consensus and confidence already exist in the research on shoplifting, then specifies the gaps in our knowledge, as well as areas of controversy and debate that continue to perplex students of the phenomenon of shoplifting. In assessing the strengths and weaknesses in our existing knowledge, Klemke points to directions for future research. Studies examined include, among others, a study by Mr. French for the National Coalition to Prevent Shoplifting which put the cost of shoplifting in 1981 at $31 billion in the United States; several studies of delinquency which report shoplifting to be one of the top five varieties of delinquency committed by various samples of youth; and research documenting shoplifting as a major source of funds for street heroin addicts. Klemke also addresses the most interesting aspect of the crime: that it is often committed by respectable individuals and therefore poses a challenge to traditional explanations of deviance. This overview of a deviant behavior that is practiced by deviants and respectables alike will intrigue sociologists, criminologists, and merchants.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to the Study of Shoplifting Of Shoplifters and Shoplifting Faces in the Crowd: Who Shoplifts? Typologies of Shoplifters and Shoplifting Psychiatric/ Psychological and Sociological Theories and Shoplifting Catching, Processing, and Preventing Shoplifting Overview References Index

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Details

  • NCID
    BA21130201
  • ISBN
    • 0275941086
  • LCCN
    91045609
  • Country Code
    us
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Westport, Conn.
  • Pages/Volumes
    xvi, 159 p.
  • Size
    25 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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