Download 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.