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Biological Theory

The biological theory of criminology proposes that criminal behavior is influenced by biological factors. Three studies are cited that explore this idea: family studies found criminal behavior was more likely if the father was also criminal; adoption studies found adopted children with criminal biological fathers were also more likely to be criminal; and twin studies supported the idea that criminal behavior may be inheritable. However, the biological theory does not prove causation and is limited as it removes personal responsibility from criminal acts.

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1K views15 pages

Biological Theory

The biological theory of criminology proposes that criminal behavior is influenced by biological factors. Three studies are cited that explore this idea: family studies found criminal behavior was more likely if the father was also criminal; adoption studies found adopted children with criminal biological fathers were also more likely to be criminal; and twin studies supported the idea that criminal behavior may be inheritable. However, the biological theory does not prove causation and is limited as it removes personal responsibility from criminal acts.

Uploaded by

dishu kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CRM512 - CRIMINOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL THEORY

SYAKIR BIN CHE SARUJI


MSc in Economic Crime Management
B1901657
WHAT IS
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
OF CRIMINOLOGY?
DEFINITION
•
A Biological Theory of deviance proposes
that an individual deviates from social
norms largely because of their biological
makeup.
•
The theory is from an Italian School of
Criminology, by a man named Cesare
Lombroso.
THE BIOLOGICAL
CRIME THEORY
•
They thought that the person’s hight may
have played a role in being a criminal.
•
They also believed that if a criminal was
caught, that they should be detained for
as long as possible.
•
They also used different serious
punishments with large crime offenders.
BIOLOGICAL TERMS
OF THE BIOLOGICAL CRIME THEORY

PENOLOGY
The processes devised and adopted for the
punishment and prevention of crime.

ATAVISM
The reappearance of ancestral
characteristics in an organism after
several generations of absence.
IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
GENETICALLY
INFLUENCED?
There are many theories that explain the causes of crime.
Genetics being one of them. Family studies focus on the
criminal history and background of families.

Families with criminal backgrounds, are said to be more likely to


produce children with criminal tendencies also, almost as
though crime is a gene carried through generations.
IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
GENETICALLY
INFLUENCED?
Characteristics and traits of a person can be inherited through
genes and it is argued that criminal behaviour may be an inheritable,
polygenic trait much like eye colour, height and skin tone etc.

The study of biological theories in criminology asks two main


questions; whether there is a genetic influence on crime and if
so, how does it operate? Three studies had been taken to explain
the biological factors of crime causation.
FAMILY STUDIES
Theorists such as Osborne and West (1982)
undertook the study of families.

Comparison of sons and fathers, criminal


fathers and non criminal fathers. 40% of
sons also have criminal convictions.

Father had no trace of a criminal conviction,


still 13% of sons did. Genes do not
completely determine criminality but yet still
may have an influence.
ADOPTION STUDIES
Hutchings and Mednick (1975) - If
adoptive or biological father did not have a
record of criminal behaviour, their sons
still had one about 10% of the time.

It may not be crime which is inherited but


other genes which may lead to criminal
behaviour.
TWIN STUDIES
Research and studies of twins and the link to
criminality. These studies support that an
inheritable trait may increase the risk
of criminal behaviour.

Being aware of their physical similarities


may also mean they mimic each other
throughout life and so any criminal
behaviour may also be mimicked but the
behaviour isn’t solely influenced by genetics.
CRIMINOLOGISTS
OF THE TIME
ENRICO FERRI
Enrico continued Lombroso’s
work in Penology.

RAFFAELO GAROFALO
Raffaelo gave a “natural”
definition of crime.
Raffaelo also made it clear that
criminals were inhuman or
unnatural.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
TODAY
• The Biological Theory has changed over the
years.

• Few countries are involved with this


theory.

• Italy being one of them.


PROs AND CONs
OF THE BIOLOGICAL THEORY

PROs
•Some built men really are criminals.
•Prevent copycat crimes started from
ancestors.

CONs
•It isn’t always 100% right.
•Some people are innocent, but are
criminalized by the family’s past.
SUMMARY
Criminology is the study of crime and punishment.

The Biological Theory of Criminology says that criminals and non-criminals


are biologically different.

Three studies had been taken to explain the biological factors of crime causation.
•
Family Studies.
•
Adoption Studies.
•
Twin Studies.

Biological research does not provide causal evidence, and the biological theory
absolves people of responsibility.
THANK YOU

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