Week 4: Biological theories Flashcards
What were key characteristics of early biological theories?
Early biological theories emphasized physical traits as predictors of criminality (e.g. body shape, skull shape). They also looked at heredity factors which suggested that crime could be passed on through families.
These early theories were heavily influenced by the work of Charles Darwin on evolution and firmly believed that “anatomy is destiny”.
How do contemporary biological theories differ from early theories?
Today’s biological theories look more at genetics, chromosomes, hormones, and neurotransmitters as well as physical environmental factors (e.g. exposure to toxins, diet etc.).
As well, contemporary biological theories are more interested in an integrative perspective that combines biological explanations with other factors including social. They have moved away from anatomy is destiny and look more through the lens of “predispositions”
What is biological positivism and what was it’s main contribution to criminology?
Biological positivism was the application of scientific techniques to the study of crime and criminals. It has two important principles:
- Human behaviour is influenced by factors beyond a persons choice or control. It may be due to their physical constitution or what could be inherited, or genetics.
- The application of scientific techniques to studying criminal behaviour rather than developing theories of crime based ideologies.
Biological positivism gave us the scientific method of observation, measurement, and generalization. it brought science to criminology.
What is Phrenology?
An Early biological theory. It is the study of the shape of the head to determine anatomical correlates of human behaviour. It was created by Joseph Gall (1758-1828).
This theory states that the brain is the organ of the mind (not other body parts). Although we now know that skull shape has nothing to do with criminality, it was one of the first theories to consider the development of the brain and how that could affect personality and behaviour.
What is the Italian School?
An Early biological theory developed by Lombroso.
This theory examined the relationship between physical features and criminality. Lombroso proposed atavism: the idea that criminals are genetic throwbacks to earlier evolutionary periods.
Markers of atavism included facial anomalies, epilepsy, and other physical differences.
The Italian school believed anatomy is destiny; people were born criminals and there is no hope of change. The Italian school contributed to the start of the eugenics movement.
What is the theory of Crime Families?
Crime Family theories proposed that criminality is inherited where criminal tendencies are passed down through families. “research” on this theory includes the Juke Family study and the Kallikak Family study.
Crime family theories rest on the assumption that the root cause of criminality is “bad genes”. This theory largely contributed to eugenics and genetic determinism..
What is the significance of twin studies?
These studies allowed researchers for the first time to really parse out nature versus nurture (although arguably there are still limitations in this method’s ability to do so).
What is Sociobiology?
An early biological theory that looked at a systematic study of the biological basis for all social behaviour (instincts)
Emphasized biological roots and looked at instinctive explanations for behaviour like aggression and territoriality.
For example, Wilson’s research in this area concluded that gender differences in the type of crimes committed can be attributed to the “hunter” (male e.g. violent crime) and “gather” (female e.g. theft) instincts. Wilson also suggested that altruism, territoriality, and tribalism all come from instinctive drives for survival.
This theory is criticized for over-generalizing from animal research (we wouldn’t use ant behaviour to understand otter behaviour, why would we use rat behaviour to understand human behaviour). As well, sociobiology explanations have been used unjustly to label and stigmatize minority groups.
What are the big contributions and limitations of early biological theories?
Early biological theories made major advancements in the use of the scientific method as it relates to criminology. It also raised questions about how our physical makeup can influence our behaviour.
However these theories failed to consider other factors beyond biology, were not tested rigorously enough for today’s standards and contributed to eugenics and other discriminatory practices (e.g. racial profiling).
What are some major themes of contemporary biological theories?
Neuroscience: links between genetics, and the production and control of neurotransmitters which influence behaviour (e.g. aggression)
Child Maltreatment and it’s affects on neural chemistry leading to increased risk of anti-social behavior
Genetic influence on self control
the relationship between genetics and environment on anti-social behaviour
What are some major challenges for the contemporary biological theories
- It is difficult to separate the influences of the social/physical environment from genetic influences on behaviour
- The field does not have a generally accepted definition of criminality which makes measuring it difficult.
- We now know that genes can be affected by multiple, interrelated factors which can be difficult to trace.
- There is no one way cause and effect with genes. Genes are both the cause and consequence of behaviour (epigenetics)
What can damage to the prefrontal cortex lead to?
The PFC is responsible for executive functioning and higher level reasoning. Damage to this area risk affecting executive functioning and cognitive skills and often leads to challenges in school, work and relationships. Damage to the PFC has also been associated with a predisposition for anti-social behaviour.
What can damage to the amygdala lead to?
The amygdala is associated with emotions and empathy. Psychopathic characteristics are associated with reduced reduced amygdala activity.
What is the prevailing understanding of the relationship between nutrition and criminality?
There is no direct link between poor nutrition and criminality but there is a clear positive outcome on behaviour when children reiceve good nutrition and balanced vitamins.
what is the relationship between testosterone and behaviour? What about the role of serotonin in this relationship?
Testosterone is linked with aggression and dominance seeking behaviours and high testosterone levels lead to behavioural concerns including impatience and irritability.
When low serotonin is combined with high testosterone, there is a higher risk of the individual responding to frustrating circumstances with aggressive behaviour, a risk for male offending. As well, imbalance in serotonin and dopamine levels are linked with psychopathic traits.
Hormones like testosterone do not cause cirminal behaviour but they may put the individual at higher risk.
