Early Biological Positivism zLombroso’s “Born Criminal” yCriminals as “atavistic throwbacks” yIdentified through presence of “stigmata” xPeaked nose (as bird of prey) xSloped forehead, large jaws xStrong canine teeth (as with carnivores) xGeneral hairiness of the body zOthers: Phrenology, Body Type, “feeblemindedness”

The XYY “supermale” zAn extra Y chromosome yInitial discovery in 1961 yFlurry of activity immediately after zNot a “supermale” yLow intelligence, physiological differences yMore evidence that XXY abnormality related to crime xEven here, very rare and due to learning disorders

The demise of early positivism 1. Poor theory ySingle biological trait as direct cause of crime. 2. Poor/biased research yCrime runs in families (Dugdale) 3. Dangerous policy implications yEugenics movement Largely discredited by Sociologists by 1950.

Where does biology stand now? zImpression from the Barkan book? yCriticizes all biological research on “poor methodology” or “shifting definitions of crime” zExample, Barkan: “Why don’t all aggressive or risk-seeking people commit crimes?” yFootball players, sky-divers zResponse: But, why don’t most people who face poverty and inequality commit crime? yGet a job at MacDonalds, muddle through life

Is Criminality Inherited? KEY IS SEPARATING “NATURE” AND “NURTURE” zParental Deviance (Crime runs in family) zTwin Studies zAdoption Studies

Parental Deviance zParent’s crime and deviance is a robust predictor of the child’s delinquency zDue to genetics, or other factors? yDeviant parents more likely to use harsh/erratic discipline, less supervision? yDeviant parents live in bad neighborhoods? yDeviant parents abuse children/each other?

Twin Studies zCompare MZ twins with DZ twins zConcordance rates = if one twin is criminal, is the other? zDanish Study (Christiansen, 1979) yMZ=52% yDZ=22%

Adoption Studies zCompare the two sets of parents that an adopted youth has. yBiological parents  genetics yAdoptive parents  social circumstance

Cross Fostering Analysis Mednick et al. (1984) CRITICISMS OF THIS?

Biology is not necessarily dependent on genetics zPrenatal or Perinatal harms yMaternal smoking, drinking, drug use yLow birth weight, premature, delivery complications zEnvironmental Influences yDiet (excessive sugar, etc) yExposure to toxins (e.g., lead) yPhysical harm (head trauma, etc)

What “biological” mechanisms are inherited or damaged? zNeurological Functioning yPET scans, EEG readings xIndirect measures (IQ, Impulsivity tests) zCentral Nervous System (CNS) or Anatomic Nervous System (ANS) yHeart rate ySkin Conductance

HOW might biology effect behavior? zDirect Effects (less common) yHead trauma  personality (Phinneas Gauge, Charles Whitman) yDiet: Excessive Sugar  Hyperactivity zIndirect Effects yLess responsive nervous system  response to pain  hard to “condition” yMaternal Smoking during pregnancy  impulsivity/low IQ  school failure  delinquency

Terrie Moffit’s “Biosocial” Theory zBiology ySome children have slight neurophysiological deficits xCauses of NPD? Perinatal harm, genetic… xResults of NPD? “Difficult temperament,” Slow to learn, difficult to parent, impulsive… zEnvironments ySome parents are poorly equipped to handle such a child yLack of resources, lack of parenting skills

Biosocial Explanation of Female Delinquency zCaspi et al. (1993) zBiology yEarly sexual maturation in females yMeasure = age at first period zEnvironment yExposure to crime prone associates yMeasure = type of school (mixed gender or not)

Policy Implications zOld Biology yEugenics zNew “Biosocial” ySocial factors can be changed, biology can identify “at-risk” children ySome biological factors can be changed xDrugs xReduce prenatal risk to fetus

Barkan’s Critique of Biology and Crime zThe “relativity of deviance” zMethodological problems yInadequate control, small sample sizes, etc z“Group rate differences” zSocial/policy implications yCan’t change biology?

SUMMARY OF BIOLOGY zAll modern biological theories incorporate sociological or psychological concepts. zBiology related in an indirect fashion--and with the environment. yCaspi’s research on female criminality yMoffitt’s biosocial theory