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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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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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