Biochemical Theories of Criminality

• Biochemical substances and processes are possible causes of criminal behaviour, because of the effect on brain chemistry and mental processes e.g. Hormones + blood sugar levels
• Hormones:

  • The overproduction of testosterone in men causes emotional disturbances
  • Ellis and Coontz study points out that testosterone levels peak from puberty to the early 20’s which corresponds with the highest crime rates.
  • PMT, Post-natal depression and lactation reduce our ability to manage our behaviour properly because hormones are out of our control
• Blood Sugar Levels:

  • Low blood sugar can trigger aggressive reactions
  • Shoenthaler claims that by lowering the daily intake of normal sugar in young offenders, he could reduce their aggression.
• Substance Abuse:

  • Legal and illegal drugs can affect behaviour
  • Alcohol is a legal drug which often leads to criminal behaviour
  • Other drugs may do the same, such as those causing aggression or hallucination (cannabis, heroin)
  • Saunders calculated that alcohol led to around 1000 arrests a day in the UK
  • Flanzer in the US linked it to 80% of domestic violence