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Positivist, Biological, And Psychological Theories Of Crime

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There are multiple theories associated with criminology which try to explain why some people are criminals and some are not. The most popular three theories today are positivist, biological, and psychological theories. Positivist theories suggest that criminals are born with a predisposition to crime (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Positivist theory assumes that humans do not have free will and any actions are determined; that they are different from other criminals biologically, psychologically, sociologically or a combination of these three; that social scientists can be impartial and that crime is caused by multiple factors (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Positivist theory seeks to find cause and effect relationships that are established when the cause …show more content…

In order to falsify biological theories, they are tested by attempting to prove that there are differences between criminals and non-criminals biologically in order to falsify them (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). There are multiple factors that are used in biological theories to look for differences between criminals and non-criminals. One method is physiognomy, or the examining of faces and expressions (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Another method is phrenology, or the study of how a person’s head is shaped as an indicator of mental capacity and predisposition toward criminal activity (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Criminal anthropology is also used as a method of searching for differences between criminals and non-criminals. This method assumes that criminals are different by birth biologically, that they can be recognized by physical anomalies, and that if they have more than 5 physical anomalies, they can be distinguished as more likely to commit criminal acts (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). The problem with this theory is that it is founded on circular reasoning because it assumes crime is caused by a biological inferiority that is indicated by physical differences associated with criminology (Bohm & Vogel, …show more content…

Heredity studies also seek to find commonalities between criminals and non criminals based on genes inherited from their parents (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Modern biocriminology examines how the environment and genetics affect a person’s likelihood to becoming a criminal (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). There are problems associated with biological theories as well. One problem is that the idea that crime is caused by biology is not something many people are comfortable with, as it is something out of their control. Another problem is the methodology associated with biological theory research is not sound and often is not random or impartial (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Most people studied are incarcerated and have already committed a crime, therefore the prediction aspect of the theory is negated (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Biological theories only predict a potential for a certain behavior, they do not guarantee it (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Finally, there is no behavior that is inherently criminal and very few crimes can be attributed to biology (Bohm & Vogel,

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While a few theories are not as regular, others have developed and are utilized as a part of numerous criminal reviews today. Cutting edge criminologists consolidate the most important aspects of sociology, psychology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their comprehension of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory, psychological, biological, and strain theory are used to analyze the

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938 Words | 4 Pages

While some theories are not as common, others have evolved and are used in many criminal studies today. Cutting edge criminologists consolidate the most important aspects of sociology, psychology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their comprehension of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory, psychological, biological, and strain theory are used to analyze the facts of Hernandez’s crime. Biological Theory is

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look for abnormalities in the individual's personality, thought processes, or belief structure as explanations for criminal behavior (Aebi, 2014). We're all familiar with the insanity defense, which is the idea that an individual is not responsible for his or her behavior because of a mental disease or defect that prevents the person from controlling their behavior and/or understanding the difference between right and wrong. This is based in part on the idea that psychological factors are related to behavior in general, which is in turn linked with deviance and potentially with criminality as well. Who would be considered a predicted criminal and to what level? The prediction of criminal behavior is one of the most central activities of the

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General Strain Theory and Biosocial Theory Connecting the dots to Antisocial Behavior. Jennifer M Frank Liberty University Juvenile Justice CJUS 310 08/14/2023 ABSTRACT Genome research indicates there may be a biometric connection between antisocial behavior and criminality.

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Introduction: Criminologists use theories to help them better understand crime. Two theories that are useful to criminologists are the differential association theory and the general strain theory. These theories can be especially helpful in determining the cause of crime, such as violent offenses and vehicle theft. There are three of the same components that fall under each crime theory. Firstly, certain individuals are more likely to fall within each theory.

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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.

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Both theories described, Strain Theory and Rational Choice Theory, explain crime in terms of social environments, which include society, family, the workplace, communities and peer groups. A large number of criminological theories have been developed through sociological investigation. These theories have generally stated a fact or belief that criminal behavior is a normal response of biologically and psychologically actions due to a particular kind of social circumstance (Mannheim, 2016). Strain theory and Rational Choice theory are sociological theories that attempt to explain criminal behavior and why criminals act the way they do and each theory has its own basis to explain why individuals commit crimes. Whatever the theory may be,

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It cannot be overlooked that developmental issues and life experiences play a major role as well. In the modern world, these issues and experiences are analyzed and studied by prevalent criminality and psychopathology fields within the criminal justice system. After all, trying to understand why individuals chose to commit crimes and break the law is necessary to prevent them and rehabilitate criminals. Since the nineteenth century, criminal defendants have used mental incapacity and insanity to excuse their criminal activity. This has resulted in the study of psychopathology and crime causation being of significant importance to criminal justice.

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Trait Theory The trait theory is comprised of two branches which explain the idea that crime is a result of either biological or psychological factors. The biological section is divided into four subsections, neurological, biochemical, evolutionary and genetic theory. The neurological theory states “that criminals and delinquents often suffer brain impairments” (Siegel, 2011, p. 118) such as “attention deficit hyperactivity and minimal brain dysfunction.” (Siegel, 2011, p. 118) These impediments on juveniles gives them higher chances to participate in criminal activities because “Children with… learning or impulse control problems may be more easily influenced…”

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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).

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People see crime as an individual problem and not one that involves the entire community; however, according to Natalie Boyd, a teacher with a PhD in psychology, the sociological theory of criminology believes that people become a criminal by the influence of their surroundings. The theory states that people are not born with an evil gene in their body, but from the environment they live in. There are three sociological theories of crime causation: strain, social learning, and control (Boyd). Each of the theories is different in account of what they focus on. It could either be the different features in the environment, different accounts of why the environment can cause crime and explaining the differences in individual crime and group crime

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Adrian Raine, criminologist and author of "The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime," has said before, is a very important factor in criminal behaviour that affects about 75% of a person’s criminal activity. In his book, Raine explores the many evidences that lead up to biological and genetic influences on crime

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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

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Where external and internal factors play a part and they are fated to be a criminal. The scientific grounds are offenders and people who have not yet offended can be given help, and they can be diagnosed by experts and receive treatment needed to not offend (Cavadino, 2007

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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

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