5 Biosocial and Other Contemporary Perspectives

The Human Genome Project International research project mapping the human genome HGP sequenced entire genomic sequence of a reference human genome Current focus of genomics Finding variants from reference sequence continued on next slide

The Human Genome Project Knowledge developed by HGP may have major implications for individuals and society

Genetics and Heritability Dutch research found male descendants of a “criminal family” had high proportion of violent crime arrests Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA): Enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline Excess amounts of MAOA linked to aggression continued on next slide

Genetics and Heritability Pleasure-seeking gene may play a role in deviant behavior, addictions, violence Heritability linked to callous-unemotional behavior Genes and environment work together to produce significant antisocial behavior

Future Directions in the Study of Genes and Crime Explanatory power of heritability limited – may apply only to environments existing at the time of a given study If population or environment changes, heritability may change also Genes appear to be both the cause and consequence of our actions – they enable rather than determine human action.

The Dysfunctional Brain PET scans found lower glucose levels in prefrontal cortex of murderers Prefrontal cortex dysfunction may predispose someone to crime rather than being a direct cause of crime Frontal brain hypothesis continued on next slide

Figure 5-1 The Human Brain Showing the Prefrontal Cortex and the Amygdala Source: Schmalleger, Frank J., Criminology. Printed and Electronically reproduced by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

The Dysfunctional Brain Allergic reactions to foods have been linked to violence and homicide Physical injuries, emotional trauma, disease, longer term exposure to stress can lead to changes in the brain Link between stressors in the social environment and brain structure continued on next slide

The Dysfunctional Brain Neuroplasticity Brain can alter its structure or function in response to experience or injury

Body Chemistry and Criminality Body chemistry is influenced by factors such as eating habits, vitamin deficiencies, environmental contaminants, and the endocrine system You really ARE what you eat!

Ingested Substances and Nutrition Early research linked excess sugar consumption to crime but the current evidence on the sugar/behavior link is unclear continued on next slide

Ingested Substances and Nutrition Some food additives (MSG, dyes, artificial flavorings) may be linked to violence Coffee and sugar may trigger antisocial behavior Vitamins, other nutrients may have behavioral impact

Environmental Pollution Several studies have found a link between industrial and environmental pollution and violent behavior Correlation between juvenile crime and exposure to lead and manganese Prenatal substance exposure may lead to higher rates of conduct disorders, delinquency, psychiatric problems

Hormones and Criminality Testosterone Relationship between high blood levels of testosterone and increased male aggressiveness Effect may be moderated by social environment Small changes in female testosterone levels also linked to personality changes continued on next slide

Hormones and Criminality Androgens – male hormones High blood levels linked to aggression in boys but not girls Fluctuations in female hormones may also be linked to crime continued on next slide

Hormones and Criminality Serotonin – behavior-regulating chemical Elevated blood levels/lower brain levels linked to violence in men Imbalance between levels of serotonin and dopamine highly associated with psychopathic traits continued on next slide

Hormones and Criminality Other hormones implicated in delinquency and poor impulse control include cortisol and T3 (thyroid hormone)

Climate, Weather, and Crime Temperature is the only weather variable consistently related to crime Relationship moderated by temporal factors Research findings consistent with routine activities theory continued on next slide

Climate, Weather, and Crime Possible link between barometric pressure and violent crime Historical correlation between high temperatures, extreme rainfall patterns, and violence

Figure 5-2 Assault as a Function of Temperature Source: E. G Figure 5-2 Assault as a Function of Temperature Source: E . G. Cohn and J. Rotton, “Assault as a Function of Time and Temperature: A Moderator-Variable Time-Series Analysis,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 72 (1997), pp. 1322–1334. Data used with permission.

Biosocial Criminology Crime and Human Nature (1985) Comprehensive theory of crime that included constitutional factors Constitutional factors predispose one to specific types of behavior; societal reactions to these predispositions determine the form of continued behavior continued on next slide

Biosocial Criminology Biosocial criminology – Anthony Walsh Biological factors do not operate in an environmental vacuum, environmental factors do not operate in a biological vacuum

Figure 5-3 Selected Biological Factors Recognized by Biosocial Theory

Gender Differences in Criminality Gender ratio problem need for an explanation of the fact that men are more involved in crime than women Early explanations focused on culture and the social environment – lack contemporary validation continued on next slide

Gender Differences in Criminality Biosocial criminologists say that if we admit that there is something about gender itself that is responsible for the observed differences, the problem is resolved 

Evolutionary Theory Evolutionary perspective suggests that behavioral traits are manifestations of multiple genes working independently and synergistically in response to the environment continued on next slide

Evolutionary Theory Evolutionary neuroandrogenic theory Propensity for crime commission evolved as part of the male reproductive strategy A particular neurochemistry, characteristic of males, increases the probability of crime among males relative to females

Policy Implications of Biological Theories Steven Pinker claims social scientists unjustly ignore the biological basis of human behavior and replace it with three myths The blank slate The Noble Savage The Ghost in the Machine continued on next slide

Policy Implications of Biological Theories No genes for criminal behavior but genes may affect brain functioning and influence chances of learning socially unacceptable behavior patterns

Critique of Biological and Biosocial Theories Fail to predict criminality accurately Methodological problems Findings difficult to generalize Do not explain regional, temporal variations in crime rates continued on next slide

Critique of Biological and Biosocial Theories Cannot explain why some crimes are more likely to occur in certain parts of the country, certain types of communities, among members of specific subcultures rather than in others Some biosocial criminologists have been accused of racial and class bias