Chapter 5 © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Biological Roots of Criminal Behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Biological Theories Criminal Anthropology The scientific study of the relationship between human physical characteristics and criminality © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Held that the shape of the skull was indicative of an individual’s personality and… Biological Theories Phrenology (Craniology) © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

…could be used to predict criminal behavior Biological Theories Phrenology (Craniology) © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Positivism Atavism: Criminality was seen as the result of primitive urges which, in throwbacks,… Biological Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

(Cesare Lombroso) Biological Theories …survived the evolutionary process Positivism © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Body Types Constitutional theories explain criminality by reference to offender’s body type… Biological Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Biological Theories Body Types …genetics, or external observable physical characteristics © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Biocriminology Links violent or disruptive behavior to eating habits, vitamin deficiencies,… Chemical Theories © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

…genetic inheritance, and other conditions affecting the body Chemical Theories Biocriminology © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Environmental Precursors Studies of environmental toxins as causes of crime and deviance © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Toxic pollutants (lead, manganese), may cause learning disabilities, an increase in aggressive behavior, and loss of control over impulsive behavior Environmental Precursors © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Pre-natal exposure to alcohol, nicotine and marijuana may be linked to aggression and hyperactivity later in life Environmental Precursors © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Hormones and Criminality Testosterone is linked to aggression Premenstrual syndrome is linked to loss of self control, irritability and aggression © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Weather and Crime Researchers have found no correlation between criminal behavior and Sunshine Humidity Barometric Pressure Wind Speed, or Rainfall… © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

…but found a definite positive correlation between temperature and violent crime Weather and Crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Genetics and Crime Criminal Families The Juke Family The Kallikak Family © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Eugenic Criminology The root causes of criminality were largely passed from generation to generation in the form of “bad genes” Genetics and Crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Defective delinquents Cacogenic or “bad- gened” families Genetics and Crime Eugenic Criminology © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

XYY “Supermale” Taller than average male Suffers from acne or skin disorders Genetics and Crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Less than average intelligence Over-represented in prisons and mental hospitals Genetics and Crime XYY “Supermale” © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Chromosomes and Modern- Day Criminal Families Chromosomes and Modern- Day Criminal Families An isolated gene and the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is linked to criminal tendencies Genetics and Crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Behavioral Genetics The study of genetic and environmental contributions to individual variations in human behavior Genetics and Crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

The Human Genome Project Behavioral genetic determinism Genetics and Crime Behavioral Genetics © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Sociobiology The systematic study of the biological basis of all social behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

The primary determinant of behavior is the need to ensure survival and continuity of genetic material from one generation to the next Sociobiology © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Sociobiology Territoriality and tribalism also contribute to violence and aggression © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime Gender – Crime has been predominantly male behavior © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime Age – In general, the tendency to break the law declines throughout life © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Body type – A disproportionate number of criminals have a mesomorphic (muscular) build Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime Intelligence – Criminality is said to be clearly and consistently associated with low intelligence © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.

Personality – Violent criminals are typically aggressive, impulsive, and cruel Crime and Human Nature Factors that contribute to crime: © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.