Transcript Chapter 5
Chapter 5 © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Roots of Criminal Behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Criminal Anthropology The scientific study of the relationship between human physical characteristics and criminality © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Phrenology (Craniology) Held that the shape of the skull was indicative of an individual’s personality and… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Phrenology (Craniology) …could be used to predict criminal behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Positivism Atavism: Criminality was seen as the result of primitive urges which, in throwbacks,… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Positivism …survived the evolutionary process (Cesare Lombroso) © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Body Types Constitutional theories explain criminality by reference to offender’s body type… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Biological Theories Body Types …genetics, or external observable physical characteristics © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Chemical Theories Biocriminology Links violent or disruptive behavior to eating habits, vitamin deficiencies,… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Chemical Theories Biocriminology …genetic inheritance, and other conditions affecting the body © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Precursors Studies of environmental toxins as causes of crime and deviance © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Precursors Toxic pollutants (lead, manganese), may cause learning disabilities, an increase in aggressive behavior, and loss of control over impulsive behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Environmental Precursors Pre-natal exposure to alcohol, nicotine and marijuana may be linked to aggression and hyperactivity later in life © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Hormones and Criminality • Testosterone is linked to aggression • Premenstrual syndrome is linked to loss of self control, irritability and aggression © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Weather and Crime Researchers have found no correlation between criminal behavior and • Sunshine • Humidity • Barometric Pressure • Wind Speed, or • Rainfall… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Weather and Crime …but found a definite positive correlation between temperature and violent crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Criminal Families • The Juke Family • The Kallikak Family © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Eugenic Criminology The root causes of criminality were largely passed from generation to generation in the form of “bad genes” © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Eugenic Criminology • Defective delinquents • Cacogenic or “badgened” families © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime XYY “Supermale” • Taller than average male • Suffers from acne or skin disorders © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime XYY “Supermale” • Less than average intelligence • Over-represented in prisons and mental hospitals © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Chromosomes and ModernDay Criminal Families An isolated gene and the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is linked to criminal tendencies © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Behavioral Genetics The study of genetic and environmental contributions to individual variations in human behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Genetics and Crime Behavioral Genetics • The Human Genome Project • Behavioral genetic determinism © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Sociobiology The systematic study of the biological basis of all social behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Sociobiology The primary determinant of behavior is the need to ensure survival and continuity of genetic material from one generation to the next © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Sociobiology Territoriality and tribalism also contribute to violence and aggression © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime • Gender – Crime has been predominantly male behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime • Age – In general, the tendency to break the law declines throughout life © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime • Body type – A disproportionate number of criminals have a mesomorphic (muscular) build © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime • Intelligence – Criminality is said to be clearly and consistently associated with low intelligence © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime: • Personality – Violent criminals are typically aggressive, impulsive, and cruel © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.