Criminological Theory

This chapter highlights Francis T. “Frank” Cullen’s numerous unique contributions to criminological theory. Despite the seemingly broad scope of his work, we argue that three core ideas unify his vast body of scholarship in relation to criminological theory: (1) Crime is not simply the result of low control; it is positively motivated by a range of factors highlighted in classic strain theory and general strain theory. (2) Crime is also caused by the lack of social support, ranging from parental to governmental support. (3) Causes of crime span the life course and include factors beyond sociological positivism, including biosocial factors and situational factors. We discuss Cullen’s contributions in relation to these three principles within the context of an overall career that we divide into four distinct theoretical pathways.