Applying complexity theory : whole systems approaches to criminal justice and social work / edited by Aaron Pycroft and Clemens Bartollas.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Pycroft, Aaron.

Bartollas, Clemens.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social sciences--Research.

Social sciences.

Complexity (Philosophy).

Criminal justice, Administration of.

Physical Description:

xiii, 311 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Bristol : Policy Press, 2014.

Summary:

Approaches based around complexity theory are increasingly being used in the study of organisations and the delivery of services. This is the first book to explore the application of complexity theory to difficult practice issues in criminal justice and social work and is intended to stimulate debate. It brings together experts in this emerging field to address complexity theory from a range of perspectives (positivist, realist, and constructivist), providing a detailed but accessible discussion of the key issues to whole systems approaches. The chapters cover theory and research on the nature of complex adaptive systems, their application to key areas of service delivery, and the efficacy and ethics of criminal justice and social work interventions. The book argues for the usefulness of applying complexity theory to address significant and intractable social problems and also challenges the reductionist approaches to solving those problems currently favoured by policy makers. It will be of interest to academics and postgraduate students in social work and criminal justice. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Complexity theory: an overview / Aaron Pycroft Pycroft, Aaron 15

2 Risk, attractors and organisational behaviour / Paul Jennings Jennings, Paul 39

3 Why do people commit crime? An integrated systems perspective / Matthew Robinson Robinson, Matthew 59

4 Complexity and the emergence of social work and criminal justice programmes / Michael Wolf-Branigin Wolf-Branigin, Michael 79

5 Child protection practice and complexity / Peter Hossett Hossett, Peter, Irene Stevens Stevens, Irene 97

6 Youth justice: from linear risk paradigm to complexity / Stephen Case Case, Stephen, Kevin Haines Haines, Kevin 113

7 The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: a case study in policing and complexity / John G.D. Grieve Grieve, John G.D. 141

8 Intersecting contexts of oppression within complex public systems / Charmaine McPherson McPherson, Charmaine, Elizabeth McGibbon McGibbon, Elizabeth 181

9 Complexity theory, trans-disciplinary working and reflective practice / Fiona McDermott McDermott, Fiona 181

10 Probation practice and creativity in England and Wales: a complex systems analysiscAaron Pycroft 199

11 Responding to domestic abuse: multi-agented systems, probation programmes and emergent outcomes / Sarah Lewis Lewis, Sarah 221

12 Complexity, law and ethics: on drug addiction, natural recovery and the diagnostics of psychological jurisprudence / Bruce Arrigo Arrigo, Bruce, Christopher Williams Williams, Christopher 247

13 Constituting the system: radical developments post-Newtonian society / Clemens Bartolias Bartolias, Clemens 269.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781447311409

144731140X

OCLC:

859584086