biological explanations for offending

• what do biological explanations suggest criminal behaviour is caused by?

  genetic, neurological and physiological factors
• what are the 3 biological explanations?

  1. historical approach (atavistic form)
  2. genetic explanations
  3. neural explanations
• who proposed the atavistic form?

  lombroso
• outline atavistic form

  • criminals are genetic throwbacks
  • identified by physical features
  • criminals are biologically different from non-criminals
  • lack evolutionary development
• examples of atavistic characteristics

  • high cheekbones
  • asymmetrical face
  • large jaw
  • dark skin
  • long arms
• outline what traits lombroso identified specifically to types of criminals

  • murderers - bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears
  • sexual offenders - thick lips and protruding ears
  • fraudsters - thin lips and sharp nose
• what do genetic explanations propose?

  behaviour is heritable
• outline twin studies as part of genetic explanations

  Christiansen

  • 3,500 twins in denmark
  • 52% concordance with MZ twins and 22% in DZ twins
• outline adoption studies as part of the genetic explanation

  Mednick et al

  • 14,000 adopted children in denmark
  • criminal convictions in biological parents increased likelihood of criminality in adopted children
• outline candidate genes as part of the genetic explanation

  • MAOA - regulates dopamine and serotonin, linked to aggressive behaviour
  • CDH13 - linked to substance abuse and ADHD
• what do neural explanations suggest about criminal behaviour?

  linked to brain abnormalities
• link prefrontal cortex with criminal behaviour

  • responsible for decision-making, impulse control and morality

  Raine et al - murderers have reduced activity which is linked to impulsivity and aggression
• link the limbic system with criminal behaviour

  • amygdala regulates emotions
  • reduced activity is linked to a lack of empathy

  Raine et al - violent offenders had asymmetrical amygdala activity leading to emotional dysfunction
• link neurotransmitters with criminal behaviour

  • low serotonin = impulsivity and aggression
  • high dopamine = reward-seeking behaviour
  • low cortisol = reduces stress which makes individuals less fearful
• strength of the atavistic form - development

  • pioneered scientific criminology
  • suggested the role of biological factors and physical characteristics
  • scientific approach of objective and measurable traits
• weakness of atavistic form - unscientific

  • flawed research methodology
  • tested without a control group and biased sample of prisoners
  • lack of empirical support
• weakness of atavistic form - stereotypes

  • links criminality to racial and ethnic characteristics
  • physical traits of dark skin or protruding jaws
  • reflect ethnocentric bias
• strength of genetic explanation - evidence

  • Christiansen - MZ twins have a higher concordance rate than DZ twins
  • Mednick et al - adopted children were more likely to engage in criminality if biological parent had criminal record
  • strong empirical support
• strength of genetic explanation - contribution

  • identification of specific genes (MAOA and CDH13)
  • Brunner et al - men with defective MAOA gene exhibited violent criminal behaviour
  • insight into biological mechanisms
• weakness of genetic explanation - narrow

  • suggests individuals are predisposed to criminal behaviour
  • ignores complexity of upbringing, socio-economic status and peer influence
  • reductionist and deterministic
• strength of neural explanation - evidence

  • scientific evidence
  • Raine et al - used PET scans to show reduced activity of prefrontal cortex in murderers
  • brain abnormalities contribute to criminal behaviour
• strength of neural explanation - practical

  • real-world application
  • neuropsychological interventions and pharmacological treatments
  • treatment and prevention
• weakness of neural explanation - incomplete

  • relies on correlational evidence
  • no evidence that brain abnormality directly causes criminal behaviour
  • lacks explanatory power