ipl-logo

Biological Theories Of Criminal Behavior

1526 Words7 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social learning theory thought paper

The study of psychology would incomplete without criminal behaviour. Psychologists and Sociologist have still not been able to justify whether criminal behaviour is as a result of nature or nurture. This essay will explain the features of biological, genetics, social and personality theories of criminal behaviour, and evaluate these theories with the work Sheldon, Lombroso, Eysenck and Bandura’s research on social learning theory. There shall be an evaluation of the usefulness of the theories with a comparison and a contrast among them in relation to criminal behaviour. The biological theory suggests that personality is inherited, therefore, criminal behaviour is as a result of the genetic and biological composition of an individual. A person …show more content…

This theory explains that individuals observes and imitate what goes on in their environment. The learning process is based on classical and operant conditioning principles. These explains that rewards reinforce any good behaviour to be repeated in the future. Behaviour that accord punishment has less chance of being repeated (Skinner 1974). According to Bandura (1963), all aspects of personality are learned through direct or indirect reinforcements. Bandura’s social learning theory in 1986 explained that social learning occurs when there is modelling, imitation and identification. According to him, people observe their live models (such as parents, peers and teachers) and symbolic models (such as public figures). Individuals observe these models and imitate their attitudes and behaviours. Research on imitation have shown that the whole pattern of behaviour can be rapidly acquired when a model is provided (Cardwell et al., 2015). Identification refers to the extent to which an individual relates to a model and feels that he or she is similar to that person. Research have suggested that children are more likely to identify and learn from models who are similar to them, particularly same-sex models (Shutts et al., 2010). This may include criminal attitude and behaviours. Bandura’s theory demonstrates a valid concept about social learning and it clearly explains the criminal behaviour, however, the …show more content…

It has also given clear explanation to how behaviour is learned. However, social learning theory fails to clearly explain the conditions under which violence and criminal behaviours are learned. It also fails to adequately consider the role of cognition in criminal behaviour. For instance, as many criminals are imprisoned as punishment, many more people work and earn better status in the society. In this case, it is not clear why there are still criminals whereas there are role models are reinforcement that could portray non-criminal behaviour (Howitt,

Show More
Related

Scarver's Criminal Behavior Theory

1206 Words | 5 Pages

Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.

Read More

Comparison Of Biological And Contemporary Psychological Theories Of Crime

696 Words | 3 Pages

What are the differences between historical biological and contemporary biosocial theories are crime? Contemporary biosocial theories of crime differ greatly from historical biological theories of crime in many ways, the most notable way being their approaches as to the causes of crime. Modern day biosocial theories often stress the importance that the environment has on the causes of crime and likelihood of criminality. Theories like Genetics and Heritability, Body Chemistry, and Biosocial Criminology all take into consideration that and individual's biological makeup isn't the sole determinant of crime. They take into consideration other variables like the environment, nutrition, substance use, pollution, and much more.

Read More

James Bulger Theory

1004 Words | 5 Pages

This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of

Read More

Three Different Theories Surrounding Sexual Assault

1101 Words | 5 Pages

Reinforcement refers to the process by which individuals are rewarded or punished for their behavior. In the context of sexually motivated crimes, reinforcement could occur through positive feedback from peers or through a lack of consequences for violent behavior. For example, an individual who engages in sexual violence may receive positive feedback from influential people in their lives who view this behavior as acceptable, or they simply may not be faced with any consequences for their actions. The social learning theory provides a useful framework for understanding sexually motivated crimes because it

Read More

Positivism In My Lobotomy

1277 Words | 6 Pages

Most was derived from the assumption that behaviors such as; criminal and otherwise, are inherited. Which means that criminals are biologically different than non-criminals. One of the earliest explanations was known as Phrenology which was in the mid-1700’s to mid-1800’s, which viewed the shape and size of the brain and skull as determinants of criminal tendencies. The next early positivist explanation for deviance was in 1876, Cesare Lombroso’s theory of “Atavism” and “The Born Criminal” This was the 1st Major Application of this new science to the study of criminals and deviance.

Read More

Theories Of Criminology Theory

1457 Words | 6 Pages

It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,

Read More

Social Bonding Theory Vs Social Learning Theory

1336 Words | 6 Pages

Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.

Read More

Charles Manson Theory

991 Words | 4 Pages

This process has nine components (Cullen, 2014). The first is criminal behavior is learned not inherited. Second, the Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication. Third, the principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups. Fourth, When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes (a) techniques of committing the crime, which is sometimes very complicated, sometimes simple; (b) the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes.

Read More

Are Criminals Affected By Nature Or Nurture?

762 Words | 4 Pages

Today, there are proven facts that people who have parents that are criminals have a high chance of becoming criminals themselves. Not only can people become criminals because of their family but they can also become criminals because of the environment that they surround themselves in. This is where nature versus nurture comes into play. A person’s nature is their genetic makeup, basically meaning that a person’s nature is the genes they get from their parents. Also, a person’s genotype, one’s genetic makeup based on the sequencing of the nucleotides we term, provides them with physical traits that set the stage for certain behaviors (56).

Read More

Criminal Behavior Essay

547 Words | 3 Pages

Criminal behaviour has always been an interest for psychologists, for they could never quite come to a conclusion between nature and nurture. Research concerning this topic has been organized for many years and due to the never ending debate, is still being conducted. I have decided to read and write about this myself, for I was genuinely curious about the matter and wanted to be a part of the research, as I felt responsible to do so. I believe that in order to stop something, it must be discussed and scrutinized. What effects do genes have on criminal behaviour, why do peer pressure and habitat influence a person to commit crimes and are men really more violent than women?

Read More

To What Extent Is There A Connection Between Biology And Crime

971 Words | 4 Pages

Is there a Connection between Biology and Crime? Crime and biological factor have connections that originate from the brain stem. Crime is an action that disregards the laws that are in place to ensure the safety of all. A crime can be punishable by law.

Read More

Biological Trait Theory: Biological And Psychological Aspects Of Criminality

1285 Words | 6 Pages

According to Siegel (2015), trait theory is the view that criminality is a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits which can be subdivided into two major categories: those that stress biological makeup and those that stress psychological functioning (p. 109). Biological trait theories includes four different conditions: biochemical, neurophysiological, genetic, and evolutionary. Biochemical factors will include diet, hypoglycemia, hormonal influences, premenstrual syndrome, lead exposure, and environmental contaminants. Neurophysiological factors will include brain structure, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, brain chemistry, and arousal theory. Genetic causes could stem from parental deviance, adoption studies, and

Read More

Crime And Cesare Beccaria's Rational Choice Theory

847 Words | 4 Pages

Though he was influenced by Darwin, Lombroso misunderstood his work and considered criminals evolutionary throwbacks of primitive forms (Mazzarello, 2011). Trait theory has evolved over time from Garofalo’s sociological tilt (crime is an immoral act that is injurious to society) to Enrico Ferri (focused on social and economic factors that motivate criminals) to a modern, biosocial trait theory, which theorizes each person is mentally and physically unique, does not possess equipotentiality (equal potential to learn and achieve), and has developed traits at birth or soon after that affect social functioning and affect criminal behavior. Physical, environmental, and social conditions work in concert to produce behavior. The last part of the theory states, instincts affect learning (rape or desire of males to control

Read More

Biological Theory In The Juvenile Justice System

822 Words | 4 Pages

There are biological theories that support there is difference in a criminals and

Read More

Summary Of Aggressive Behavior

1383 Words | 6 Pages

They say that this behavior is naturally engrained in people and must be treated as an illness and not be judged on it. As some recent studies has been held, it seems that some genes are in fact responsible of aggressive or criminal acts. To explore the potential genetic underpinnings of criminal behavior, the authors conducted a genetic analysis involving nearly eight hundred Finnish citizens. All had been accused of a crime, and were incarcerated in one of nineteen Finnish prisons, the study noted. Some crimes involved nonviolent behavior, including property theft and drug-dealing.

Read More

More about Biological Theories Of Criminal Behavior

Related Topics

Open Document