Crime and chaos: Applying nonlinear dynamic principles to problems in criminology

Holism, nonlinear dynamics, sensitive dependence on initial conditions, and self-organization are examined in an effort to determine whether these con cepts have applicability to research and theory on crime, criminals, and th e criminal justice system It is concluded that these concepts, all part of a growing science of chaos, show promise of clarifying conflicting empirica l findings and resolving important theoretical issues within the general fi eld of criminology. The topics covered in this article include empiricism a nd the problem of prediction, the reconciliation of polar opposites, reaffi rming choice, and learning and socialization. A case example is used to ill ustrate how a chaotic interpretation of individual criminal behavior and ch ange differs from the traditional positivist, classical, and rehabilitative perspectives.