1. Biological Positivism

2. Are Criminals Biologically Different from Non-criminals? Classical School –No Biological Perspective –Yes

3. The Birth of Positivist Science 1800s, optimism about science soars Scientific method applied to humans

4. Early Biological Positivism “With mankind some of the worst dispositions which occasionally without any assignable cause make their appearance in families, may perhaps be reversions to a savage state, from which we are not removed by many generations.” –Darwin 1871, p.137

5. Lombros’s Theory of Atavism In 1876, observed physical differences between criminals and non-criminals Conclusion:

6. Biological Positivism Today Biosocial theories

7. Biochemical Theories Criminal behavior is influenced by –Diet, hormones, environmental contaminants Examples –Lead poisoning linked to aggression and low IQ –1979 murder of Mayor Harvey Milk Twinkie defense, diminished capacity manslaughter rather than 1 st deg murder

8. Biosocial Theory of Testosterone and Crime Booth and Osgood (1993) –High testosterone leads young children to behave aggressively, which alienate others –This leads to fewer social bonds, which over time, increase crime Conclusion

9. Ethical Concerns

10. Positivist Criminology Today Positivism dominates academic criminology Tenets of Positivism