BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINALITY : PHYSIOLOGICAL Flashcards
What are the BIOLOGICAL theories of criminality (physiological)
Physiological:
Lombroso - Atavistic Form
Sheldon - Somatotypes
Brain abnormalities - Amygdala / Serotonin
Briefly outline Lombroso’s theory of criminality
Atavistic form is a historical approach proposed by Lombroso in the 1870s which suggests some people are born with an innate criminality and their behaviour is an evolutionary throwback to a more primitive previous ancestor. He claimed these individuals were pre-social, meaning they are unable to control their impulses and lack sensitivity to pain.
Lombroso conducted research to support his theory where he examined the physical features of 4,000 criminals and the skulls of 400 dead criminals. He concluded 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics. He also found that the criminals shared a number of physical features (e.g. high cheekbones, pronounced jaw, large ears) which he said indicated that such people are more primitive than the rest of society.
One strength of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: Supporting research
A study carried of in China by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University suggests criminals can be identified by their facial features.
The ID photos of 1856 Chinese men, half of which had previous criminal convictions, were entered into an AI programme. It correctly identified the men as criminal 83% of the time and only wrongly identified innocent men as criminal 6% of the time.
This shows that modern day research which uses more scientific techniques than what was available to Lombroso can acknowledge that criminality can be identified through physiology
One weakness of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: determinism
Lombroso’s theory of atavistic form is highly deterministic as it states that anyone with atavistic features are born criminal. He concluded that criminality was innate with certain individuals and saying it is biologically determined doesn’t take into account that not every person with these characteristics are criminals.
One weakness of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: Becker (Nature vs Nurture)
Lombroso’s explanation oversimplifies the complexity of criminality. He reduces criminal behaviour to the simple concept of physiological factors which ignores societal impacts on criminality.
Becker’s labelling theory argues that the stereotyping of certain groups (e.g. young working-class males) as ‘criminals’ means that a self fulfilling prophecy forms as the police focus more on these groups than others which evidently leads to higher convictions of labelled individuals.
This shows that the explanation is over simplistic as nurture is ignored when determining the root of criminality and that nature alone doesn’t give a full explanation for this as physical attributes may not apply to a person’s criminality but rather the labels placed on them by society.
Briefly outline Sheldon’s theory of criminality
Sheldon also saw criminals as physically different, however, he viewed certain body types (Somatotypes) to be linked to criminality.
He meticulously examined photographs showing the front, side and back views of 4000 scantily clad clothed men and Sheldon argued that their are three fundamental somatotypes and one was more likely to be criminal than the others:
Endomorphs - relaxed, comfortable and outgoing (round bodied, lack muscle and tone)
Ectomorphs - self conscious, fragile and emotionally restrained (thin and fragile, lack fat and muscle)
Mesomorphs - sensation-seeking, assertive and domineering, adventurous and physically active (muscular, little body fat with strong limbs and broad shoulders)
Sheldon concluded that mesomorphs are most likely to be criminal as they are more prone to aggression and being violent because they are attracted to risk taking and their imposing physique and assertiveness can be handy with this.
One strength of Sheldon’s somatotypes theory of criminality: Supporting research
Gluek and Gluek carried out longitudinal research into juvenile delinquents and they found that 60% of the offenders in their study were mesomorphs.
This shows that there is research that included the comparison of offenders with a control group which demonstrates that body type could indicate the likelihood of criminal behaviour.
One weakness of Sheldon’s somatotypes theory of criminality: Becker (Nature vs Nurture)
Gluek and Gluek actually concluded that criminality is best explained by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.
Becker’s labelling theory argues that the stereotyping of certain groups (e.g. young working-class males) as ‘criminals’ means that a self fulfilling prophecy forms as the police focus more on these groups than others which evidently leads to higher convictions of labelled individuals.
This shows that the explanation of somatotypes is over simplistic as nurture is ignored when determining the root of criminality and that nature alone doesn’t give a full explanation for this as physical attributes may not apply to a person’s criminality but rather the labels placed on them by society.
One strength of Sheldon’s somatotypes theory of criminality: Policy development for policing
Ying Hu of the University of Texas found that people infer a wide range of personality traits just by looking at the physical features of a particular body. Stereotypes based on body shape can contribute to how we judge and interact with new people and strangers.
This shows that there is potential to develop policy in police training, because understanding potential biases that lead to a focus on mesomorphs (likely young working-class males) can explain why this group of individuals experience more stop and searches than other body types.
Briefly outline the role of the amygdala as an explanation for criminality
The Amygdala is part of the limbic system which is the area of the brain which help coordinate behaviours that satisfy motivational and emotional urges, e.g. aggression. It is responsible for quickly evaluating emotional responses to sensory information and prompting an appropriate response to the stimulus. It has been argued that any irregularity or damage to this area can lead to aggressive behaviour as you are unable to appropriately process stimuli and reactions become instinctive.
One strength in support of the role of the amygdala as an explanation of criminality: Supporting research
Pardini conducted research supporting this where he did MRI scans of 56 male participants with varying histories of violence. They found a reduced amygdala volume in the participants which suggests that the amygdala plays a large role in evaluating emotional responses to sensory information. The lower amygdala volume lessens this ability and makes violent responses more likely.
This shows that scientific methods like brain scanning can offer evidence that proves the amygdala plays a role in criminal behaviour.
Briefly outline the role of serotonin as an explanation of criminality
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is thought to reduce aggression by inhibiting responses to emotional stimuli that might otherwise lead to an aggressive response. Therefore, low levels of serotonin have been associated with an increased susceptibility to impulsive behaviour such as aggression.
One strength in support of the role of serotonin as an explanation of criminality: Supporting research
Virkkunen found that people with a history of criminal behaviour tend to have low levels of serotonin.
This shows that since serotonin is involved in regulating mood, it may well play a role in causing criminality. E.g. aggression, low levels can lead to a temperament which is angered easily.
One strength in support of the role of serotonin as an explanation of criminality: Policy development within prisons
Risperidone is a medication which effects various neurotransmitters, in particular dopamine and serotonin, which are known to be involved in regulating mood and behaviour. Medicating aggressive individuals is an attempt to prevent aggressive outbursts.
This shows that this biological explanation of aggression has had a positive impact within the prison system as taking medication to increase levels of serotonin can reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
One weakness of the role of serotonin as an explanation of criminality: Complexity of biochemicals in the brain
Biochemicals in the brain are much more complex. They operate by interacting with one another so isolating the effects of one (e.g. serotonin) is very difficult to establish and can make us unsure if that neurotransmitter is particularly responsible for the aggressive behaviour.
This shows that serotonin MAY play a role in causing criminality, but only focusing on this neurotransmitter may neglect research into how the interaction between biochemicals is actually the cause of criminality.
