Chapter Five: Trait Theory: It’s in Their Blood

Trait Theory The view that criminality is a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits The view began with Lombroso and fell out of favor in the early 20 th century, only to re-emerge in the early 1970s

Sociobiology Biology, environment, and learning are viewed as mutually interdependent factors Stresses that biological and genetic conditions influence how social behaviors are learned Suggests that both animal and human behavior is determined in part by the need to ensure survival of offspring and replenishment of the gene pool

Contemporary Trait Theory There is no single biological or psychological attribute to explain criminality Focus is on basic human behavior and drives that are linked to antisocial behavior patterns Crime-producing interactions involve personal traits and environmental factors

Biological Trait Theories Focus on the biological conditions that control human behavior

Sub-areas within Biological Trait Theories Biochemical conditions Neurophysiological conditions Genetics Evolutionary views

Biochemical The major premise of the theory is that crime is a function of diet, vitamin intake, hormonal imbalance, or food allergies The strengths are that the theory explains irrational violence and shows how the environment interacts with personal traits to influence behavior

Neurological The major premise of the theory is that criminals often suffer brain impairment The strengths are that the theory explains irrational violence and shows how the environment interacts with personal traits to influence behavior

Genetic The major premise of the theory is that criminal traits and predispositions are inherited, and therefore, the criminality of parents can predict the delinquency of children The strengths are that the theory explains why only a small percentage of youth in high-crime areas become chronic offenders

Evolutionary The major premise of the theory is that as the human race evolved, traits and characteristics have become ingrained, and some of these traits make people aggressive and predisposed to commit crime The strengths are that the theory explains high- violence rates and aggregate gender differences in the crime rate

Major Contributions of Biological Trait Theories Brain chemistry and hormonal differences are related to aggression and violence There is no relationship between sugar intake and crime The male hormone testosterone is linked to criminality Neurological impairments have been linked to crime Violence-producing traits are passed from one generation to the next

Critiques of Biological Trait Theories Some scholars suggest these theories are racist and dysfunctional Biological explanations cannot account for the geographic, social, and temporal patterns in the crime rate Lack of adequate empirical testing

Psychological Trait Theories Focus on the psychological aspects of crime, including the associations among intelligence, personality, learning, and criminal behavior

Sub-areas within Psychological Trait Theory Psychodynamic perspectives Behavioral perspectives Cognitive theories Personality Intelligence

Psychodynamic The development of the unconscious personality early in childhood influences behavior for the rest of a person’s life Criminals have weak egos and damaged personalities Explains the onset of crime and why crime and drug abuse cut across class lines

Behavioral People commit crime when they model their behavior after others they see being rewarded for the same acts Behavior is reinforced by rewards and extinguished by punishment Explains the role of significant others in the crime process Shows how media can influence crime and violence

Cognitive Individual reasoning processes influence behavior Reasoning is influenced by the way people perceive their environment Shows why criminal behavior patterns change over time as people mature and develop their reasoning powers May explain the aging-out process

Major Contributions of Psychological Trait Theories Unconscious motivations developed early in childhood propel some people into illegal behavior Aggression is viewed as a learned behavior Learning may be either direct and experiential or observational

Primary Prevention Programs Organizations, clinics, or associations that seek to treat personal problems before they manifest themselves as crime

Secondary Prevention Programs Provide treatment, after a law violation has occurred, to prevent future crimes