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Biological explanations of criminal behaviour
Biological explanations of criminal behaviour
Biological explanations of criminal behaviour
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Theories have been used in many subjects such as science, philosophy, criminology etc… They are what we use to help us gain an understanding of the world we live in. In criminology, it is used to help us define criminality; what causes crime, and why an individual choose to commit crime. These models of comprehension come from three major explanations: sociological, biological and psychological. However, the two more well-known ones are biological and psychological. Biological focuses on the relation between how criminality traits can be hugely influenced by the environment and heredities. Rather than focusing on the genetic traits, psychological approach focuses on the individual`s criminal behaviour and is broken down to several components Earlier positivist criminologists are known for their theory of “born criminals” as they were greatly inspired by Darwin and his theory of evolution. Biological approach reasoned that genetics play a vital part in the influence of behaviour. In fact, this thinking is also linked to the renowned debate of Nature vs Nurture, which later on resulted in an understanding that it is supposed to be Nature and Nurture (Anderson, 2014). Biological reasoning conducted the twin studies in order to test out the genetic traits of two types of twins (Dizygotic and Monozygotic twins) using concordance rates. As a result of these experiments, it is acknowledged that monozygotic twins tend to have higher concordance rates for criminal behaviour than dizygotic twins. Thus, it reveals that there is a strong genetic basis for criminal behaviour (Anderson, 2014). Not only did genetic play a role between the twins, the environment where the two lived in have an effect on bring out those criminal traits. This was tested out through adoption studies, which were helpful for “separating genetic and environmental influences” (Anderson, 2014, p.149). Adoptees with criminal biological parents were tested, and observed as they grow up in a family of non-criminal adoptive parents. As a result of this, it is believed that if the adoptee is raised in an ethical environment, it Without biology, it is challenging for psychological approach to back up their theories. Like the key variables of biological factors, that helps psychological approach in assessing risk factors. For instance, Farrington’s long-term anti-social potential which includes key factors of impulsivity, low IQ etc. usually requires biology aspects to it (Heidt, 2014). Impulsivity can be the result of imbalanced hormones or neurotransmitters, and feeblemindedness can be due to genetics. Similarly, poor diet causing low amino acids and brain injuries to the frontal lobe also leads to long-term anti-social. People in this this category are prone to violent behaviours which helps criminologist asses risk
Biology, genetics, and evolution theory: Is when your body and your way of thinking affects your behavior negatively and force you to commit a crime Being mentally ill or even a poor diet can be the explanation to why someone commits a crime. It’s one of the key theories because it separates the criminals from the mental ill individuals. It also allows us to help the people with the biological defect.
Within the past decade there has been a wide range of research and evidence available based on both sides of the nature or nurture debate. Along with further research that identifies a number of determinants that have some form of influence towards criminal behavior and activity. This researc...
Nature and nurture are no longer a debate; we see the two working together in concert to produce a genuine expression of the individual. The personalities and habits humans acquire in their lives is as much a biological evolution as it is a social or cultural acclimatization. While some people still have the argument that it is nature or it is nurture many people have come to the realization that is has to be both. Both nature and nurture developed who we are and what we become. So the question would remain which one influences us more on if we become a criminal. In that it is meant people that live outside the acceptable social norms of that society that may involve punishment or rehabilitation. The impression that people become criminals due to their inheritable factor has not been a popular idea amongst criminologist and has incited anger amongst a lot of them. There have been amazing findings in the fields of genetics that have encouraged a biological evaluation in other social sciences. This has also steered to the appearance of a criminology sub-field called Biocriminology.
Biological perspectives can be useful in many aspects when explaining criminal activity. Often times an individual’s genes and socialization influences are the focus of explaining criminal behavior. Hereditary traits can influence conditions such as antisocial behavior causing one to participate in criminal activity (Wilson & Scarpa, 2012). However, if the environment is one in such no wrong doing or criminal activity is present, then the individual within that environment will be less likely to commit a wrong doing. When there is evidence of substance abuse within a family environment, the chances of other family members using or abusing drugs, alcohol, and participating in criminal activity is greater unless the environment changes (Wilson et al, 2012). This is a biological perspective that is influenced by environmental factors. This perspective is one of the better biological perspectives in which the reason for the criminal behavior is explained. This does
You may have always wondered if there was a correlation between social behaviour and biological functioning. At the back of my mind I am reminded of the almighty biblical “freewill” as a tool to readjust the resultant antisocial behaviour. With the human species it is difficult to assume 100% causal relationship hence it is safe to look at mediating factors that result in a person's antisocial behaviour. Barnes et al (2016) suggests that if one is to gain a greater understanding of Antisocial behaviours one must look at several domains and they include Evolutionary criminology, Biological criminology, Behaviour genetics, Molecular genetics and Neurocriminology. However, on the predictive side, increasingly, studies are examining whether the
Trait theory views criminality as a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits. It is based on a mix between biological factors and environmental factors. Certain traits alone cannot determine criminality. We are born with certain traits and these traits along with certain environmental factors can cause criminality (Siegel, 2013). According to (Siegel, 2013), the study of sociobiology sparked interest in biological or genetic makeup as an explanation for crime and delinquency. The thought is that biological or genetic makeup controls human behavior, and if this is true, then it should also be responsible for determining whether a person chooses crime or conventional behavior. This theory is referred to as trait theory (Siegel, 2013). According to Siegel (2013), due to the fact that offenders are different, one cannot pinpoint causality to crime to just a single biological or psychological attribute. Trait theorist looks at personal traits like intelligence, personality, and chemical and genetic makeup; and environmental factors, such as family life, educational attainment, economic factors, and neighborhood conditions (Siegel, 2013). There are the Biosocial Trait theories an...
Nurture debate, which argues whether a person is predisposed due to their DNA makeup, or are a blank slate and are affected by the life experiences and environment that creates who they will be and adapt as seen fit. Scientists have determined that the presence of biological abnormalities will increase the likelihood of an individual doing criminal acts, but it will not force them to be one (it does not make them a criminal for sure), which is what individuals against biological theories tend to argue. Another argument is that biological factors will increase the possible criminal behaviors when other social/mental factors are also present, which is what the other factions of theories tend to
They also explore the myths about the connection between genetic factors and criminal behavior. The first myth they looked at was “Identifying the Role of Genetics in Criminal Behavior Implies That There Is a “Crime Gene.”” This myth is dismissed because of the unlikelihood that that a single gene is responsible for criminal behavior. The second myth they look at is “Attributing Crime to Genetic Factors is Deterministic.” This myth is also easily dismissed because of the fact that just because someone has a predisposition to a certain behavior doesn’t mean that the person will take on that behavior.
Criminologists and sociologist have long been in debate for century's to explain criminal behaviour. The two main paradigms of thought are between 'nature' and 'nurture'. Nature is in reference to a learnt behaviour where a multitude of characteristics, in society influence whether a person becomes deviant such as poverty, physical abuse or neglect. Nurture defines biological features which could inevitability lead to a individuals deviant or criminal behaviour, because criminality is believed by biological positivist to be inherited from a persons parents. However, I believe that criminal behaviour is a mixture of characteristics that lead to deviant acts such as psychological illness & Environmental factors. Therefore, this essay will aim to analyse both biological positivist and psychological positivist perspectives in hope of showing to what extent they play a role in criminal behaviour. Firstly, the essay will look at Cesare Lombroso's research on physical features and how these ideas have moved on to then develop scientific ideas such as genetics to explain criminal behaviour. Secondly, the essay will focus on external factors which may be able to explain criminal behaviour such as the social influences, life chances and Material deprivation.
Murder, robbery, prostitution, rape; what exactly makes people partake in these crimes? The debate of Nature vs Nurture has never failed to raise questions about people’s personalities and actions. Whether a person commits a crime because of their innate character vs the way they were raised is something that people have been trying to understand for years. Due to this fact, the biosocial perspective of criminology does the best job at explaining criminal behavior because it combines the aspects of nature vs. nurture through various types of family, twin, and adoption studies and studies of the brain.
It is a fact that criminals have a smaller brains than law abiding citizens. Often, offenders share particular physical traits such as, being young males, muscular, having lower than average IQ, and a impulsive personality. Serial offenders are usually hyperactive and difficult children If a person has a low IQ, it is proven to be directly related to their tendency to be commit impulse actions that provide an immediate payoff. For instance, a rape or a mugging would provide a criminal with an immediate payoff. It is proven that crime often runs in families. In fact, chronic criminals are proven to be three times more likely to have criminal children. However, despite this information, scientists have no basis to come to any conclusions with this data. Therefore, one must consider other possible factors that may create a criminal mind, to come to a reasonable decision as to how one is developed.
JOSEPH, J (2001), Is crime in the genes: A Critical review of Twins and Adoption Studies of Criminality and Antisocial Behaviour.
Criminality constitutes strategic mannerisms characterized by apathy to misery inflicted on others, egocentricity and depressed self-control. Habitual criminal behaviour seeks to satisfy the offender’s desires for material prestige, power or pleasurable feelings regardless to damage inflicted to victim or society. Such behaviors extend mistrust, fuel prejudice, and largely corrupt social cohesion. Biological, psychological and environmental attributes are thought to heavily influence antisocial and criminal behaviour. Numerous studies have proven that active emulation, genetic predispositions and psychosocial labeling are all complementary to development and expressions of criminal behaviour. There has historically been a myriad of theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour through different perspectives, all which constitute intricate paradigms that play a role in expressio...
There are more contemporary biological theories that have since developed. However, most are still nearly impossible to prove true; for example, the genetic theory of crime in fraternal and identical twins. This study is supposed to provide evidence that those who are born with the same genetically heritable trait are more prone to crime than fraternal twins or siblings because of the ...
I now know that criminology prefer to highlight the correlations between crimes’ social climates and criminals’ psychological states of mind. While some argues that criminal behavior is a result of individuals’ association with criminal peers, other claims that crime is a reflection of an individual’s genetic disadvantages. I have come to learn that there are no universally agreed formulas on decoding crimes and criminal behaviors. What we have, however, is a manual full of academic opinions and subjective views that have emerged alongside of the development of criminology. At the same time, the volume of conflicting perspectives that I have stumble upon in studying criminology reminded me again that the success of our current assessment models has yet to be determined. Thus, the study of criminology is an appropriate practice that will further prepare me to conduct meaningful research on legal studies and to provide accurate and in-depth findings in the near