In the last 50 years, an extensive array of theories§has appeared within the field of criminology, many§generated by the discipline of sociology. With so§many different, competing models and perspectives§surfacing, it is often difficult to determine if§theory growth is actually occurring in criminology,§or if contemporary theories are merely recycled§theoretical models. The question of growth is an§important one to resolve because criminology, if it§is truly a progressive form of social science, ought§to be producing theories that are evolving and§improving, and contributing to the accumulation of§knowledge. §In order to assess the degree of theory accumulation§in criminology, an existing model of theory growth§proposed by David G. Wagner was applied to several§different trajectories in the area of sociologically§based theories within criminology. The findings of§this research demonstrate the potential usefulness of§the model in understanding theory growth and§development within the field of criminology. ukryj opis