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Biology and Crime

Biology and Crime. Lombroso to Modern Biosocial Theories . Early Biological Positivism. Context: 1850-1930 Example Lombroso’s “Born Criminal” Criminals as “atavistic throwbacks” Identified through presence of “stigmata” Peaked nose (as bird of prey) Sloped forehead, large jaws

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Biology and Crime

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  1. Biology and Crime Lombroso to Modern Biosocial Theories

  2. Early Biological Positivism • Context: 1850-1930 • Example • Lombroso’s “Born Criminal” • Criminals as “atavistic throwbacks” • Identified through presence of “stigmata” • Peaked nose (as bird of prey) • Sloped forehead, large jaws • Strong canine teeth (as with carnivores) • General hairiness of the body

  3. The demise of early positivism 1. Poor theory • Single biological trait as direct cause of crime. 2. Poor/biased research • Crime runs in families 3. Dangerous policy implications • Eugenics movement Largely discredited by Sociologists by 1950.

  4. Assumptions of a Biological Basis for Criminality • Behavior = biology/genes x environment • Individuals not born “equal” • “Social learning” and “Socialization” have a biological basis

  5. Modern Biosocial Theories • Biochemical Conditions • Nutrition, exposure to toxins, hormonal, excessive sugar… • Direct cause: sugarattention/impulsive • Indirect causs: exposure to leadimpaired learning, cognition school failuredelinquency

  6. Neurophysiologial Factors • What factors can determine brain functioning? • How do we measure brain functioning? • How does brain functioning relate to criminal or deviant behavior?

  7. Terrie Moffit’s Biosocial Theory • Biology • Some children have slight neurophysiological deficits • “Difficult temperament” • Slow to learn, difficult to parent • ADD, chilhood conduct disorder • Environments • Some parents are poorly equipped to handle such a child • Lack of resources, lack of parenting skills

  8. Is Criminality Inherited? KEY IS SEPARATING “NATURE” AND “NURTURE” • Parental Deviance • Twin Studies • Adoption Studies

  9. Parental Deviance • Parent’s crime and deviance is a robust predictor of the child’s delinquency • Due to genetics, or other factors? • Deviant parents more likely to use harsh/erratic discipline, less supervision? • Deviant parents live in bad neighborhoods? • Deviant parents abuse children?

  10. Twin Studies • Compare MZ twins with DZ twins • Concordance rates = if one twin is criminal, is the other? • Danish Study (Christiansen, 1979) • MZ=52% • DZ=22%

  11. Adoption Studies • Compare the two sets of parents that an adopted youth has. • Biological parentsgenetics • Adoptive parentssocial circumstance • Findings? Appears as though there is a genetic influence.

  12. SUMMARY OF BIOLOGY • Modern biological theories of crime all incorporate sociological or psychological concepts. • Biology tends to relate to crime in an indirect fashion--and with the environment. • Example: Caspi’s research on female criminality (biological maturation x social environment).

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