Biological Explanations

• positive evaluation of biological explanations

  • supporting evidence - Rosanoff, Crowe and Raine
  • developing treatments - by understanding the role of the MAOA gene, we may be able to develop cures for criminality
• negative evaluations of biological explanations

  • biological reductionism - other risk factors may be associated with criminality such as exposure to crime and poverty
  • poor population validity - only focuses on violent and aggressive criminals