BIOLOGICAL
THEORIES OF
CRIME
Group 2
ANSWER:
1C
2C
3B
4B
5A
6A
7A
8B
9C
10D
CAMERON HERRIN
A 21-year-old convicted for 24 years of imprisonment for hitting
and killing Jessica Raubenolt and her 1-year old daughter Lilia with
a Ford Mustang in a speed of 100 MPH in an illegal street race.
Post- tagged “JusticeForCameron” had flooded a number of social
media platforms, with many including footage of his sentencing
which have been viewed 1.7 billion times. Some of the clips
featured sad and heart emoji while describing Herrin as
“Innocent”, “Too cute”, or “Too handsome” to go to jail.
EVOLUTION THEORY OF
CRIME
Evolutionary theory is a broad-based view that certain types of
sexual behavior are genetic and passed down from one
generation to another through the process of evolution,
natural sex, and survival.
THEORY OF RACE AND
EVOLUTION
Explains about the origin of human evolution. According to Rushton,
humanity began in Africa about 200,000 years ago and migrated
outward toward what is known now as Europe and Asia. In his theory
he stated that as the further north the early humans traveled the more
exposed to the colder climates and their evolution began to change in
response to their surroundings
R/K THEORY
Derived from the theory of the evolution of the human species.
R stands for the Growth Rate while K represents the Caring
Capacity. R and K have no real definition, in fact they are
algebraic representations for the equation of Verhulst’s
population dynamics. In accordance with the evolutionary
theory of crime it is believed that all organisms are located
along a continuum based upon their reproductive drives. In this
theory, those along the R line are in the rapidly reproducing
category
CHEATER’S THEORY
According to this theory it is believed that a subpopulation of
males was evolved with genes that leaned them more toward
sexual reproduction with little involvement in the offspring’s
care. Their sole purpose was to be sexually active with as
many females as possible to spread their genes into as many
offspring to ensure their survival.
These types of males are cunning, deceptive, and resourceful.
They resort to mimicking and various other resources to gain
sexual conquest with eligible females that may be able to
support their offspring with as little involvement by the father
as possible
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
This theory argues that men can have many children with
multiple women with little effort. While women only a few with
great effort. This resulted to males having many competitions
for one female in the past. Thus, violence and killing for a
sexual partner has been a custom for our ancestors
The Rape of the Sabine
Women
LAWS OF INHERITANCE
One of the most important pieces of research related to
biological theories is the Laws of Inheritance by Gregor Mendel
(Father of Genetics). By conducting experiments with peas and
bees in 1866, Mendel provided qualitative evidence through
cultivation and breeding. It also provided data regarding the
inheritance of dominant and recessive genetic traits passed
from one generation to another
THE JUKE’S FAMILY TREE
The name “Jukes” came from the slang term “To Juke”, which
describes the behavior of chickens who did not deposit their
eggs in nests. But rather laid them in any convenient spot.
Dugdale’s study “The Jukes: A Study in Crime, Pauperism,
Disease, and Heredity” marked a move away from religious-
based explanations of social problems, and was lauded due to
its use of fieldwork to answer questions of nature vs nurture in
issues of crime, poverty and other social ills.
THE KALIKAK’S FAMILY TREE
Kalikak” was taken from two Greek words: Kallos, meaning beauty
(referring to the descendants of the Quaker Woman) and Kakos, meaning
bad (referring to the descendants of the Bar Maid). It is the Pseudonym
for a family involved in a psychological study on the hereditary aspects of
intelligence.
According to psychology historian David Hothersall, Goddard discovered
that the inferior branch of Martin Kallikak’s family included “46 normal
people, 143 who weredefinitely feebleminded, 36 illegitimate births, 33
sexually immoral people, 3 epileptics, and 24 alcoholics. These people
were horse thieves, paupers, convicts, prostitutes, criminals, and keepers
of houses of ill repute. On the other hand, Quaker side of the family
included only 3 somewhat mentally “degenerate people, 2 alcoholics, 1
sexually loose person, and no illegitimate births or epileptics.”
EUGENI
CS
Eugenics, the selection of desired heritable characteristics in order to
improve future generations, typically in reference to humans. "the
more suitable races or strains of blood a better chance of prevailing
speedily over the less suitable.”
TWO KINDS OF
EUGENICS
a. Positive Eugenics it aims to produce more desirable
human beings by persuading intelligent and healthy
people to have more children.
B. Negative Eugenics aims to eliminate undesirable
human traits by now allowing or limiting people such as
feebleminded and epileptic from producing children.
CONTEMPORARY
BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF
CRIME
CAUSATION
The XYY (super male) chromosomal syndrome may act on the
brain’s limbic system (which regulates man’s most primitive
drives, including his impulses toward violence) and somehow
help trigger violent criminal acts.
XX CHROMOSOMES – Females
XY CHROMOSOMES - Males
Men who have extra Y Chromosome (XYY) are stronger,
physically well-built, and more likely to exhibit violent
behavior than those who only have the normal XY set.
TWIN STUDIES
Since Galton’s work with twins, twin studies have become
more sophisticated and have attempted to respond to
methodological criticisms. Twin studies attempt to control for
the impact of the social environment, hypothesizing that these
environments are similar for twins.
DIZYGOTIC (DZ)
MONOZYGOTIC (MZ)
DZ twins develop from two eggs and share about half
of their genetic material, whereas MZ twins develop
from a single egg and share all of their genetic
material.
ADOPTION STUDIES
In adoption studies, the behavior of adoptees is compared with
the outcomes of their adopted and biological parents. The aim is
to separate out the impact of the environment from the
influence of heredity. This research asks whether a child will
exhibit traits of the adopted parents or of the biological parents.
BIOCHEMICAL
EXPLANATIONS
Another biological explanation for criminal behavior involves
the body’s hormones, released by some of the body’s cells or
organs to regulate activity in other cells or organs. Androgens
are hormones associated with masculine traits, and estrogens
are associated with feminine traits. Progesterone is another
hormone associated primarily with female reproductive
processes, such as pregnancy and menstruation
TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone is considered the male sex hormone. Although persons of
both sexes secrete testosterone, males secrete it in higher levels.
Researchers have found that higher levels of this hormone are
associated with increased levels of violence and aggression, both in
males and females.
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME AND
PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER
.A more severe form of PMS has been identified. Premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe and debilitating form of
PMS, distinguished by the level of interference the menstrual
process has on the ability of the woman to engage in the
functions of everyday life.
NEUROTRANS
MITTERS
In addition to the possibility that human hormones may directly impact
behavior, they also may directly impact chemicals that regulate brain activity.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit messages between brain cells,
called neurons, and have a direct impact on the many functions of the brain,
including those that affect emotions, learning, mood, and behavior
DIET, FOOD ALLERGIES, SENSITIVITIES, VITAMINS, AND MINERALS
What one eats impacts one’s body chemistry. High-protein foods,
such as fish, eggs, meat, and many dairy products, contain high
levels of the amino acid tryptophan. These relationships have
suggested that many aggressive behaviors may be controlled with a
diet higher in protein and lower in refined carbohydrates.
ENVIRONMENTAL
TOXINS
The frontal lobe of the brain, an area that has become the focus
of biological investigations into criminal behavior, is particularly
sensitive to environmental toxins, such as lead and manganese.
Behavioral difficulties, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity,
aggression, and lack of self-control, have been associated with
increased levels of these heavy metals.
PHYSICAL TRAITS AND
CRIME
THEORY OF CRIME, CRIMINAL
MAN, AND ATAVISM (DR.
CESARE LOMBROSO)
Lombroso’s (1876) biological theory of criminology suggests
that criminality is inherited and that someone “born criminal”
could be identified by the way they look.
In 1876 Lombroso, an Italian criminologist, proposed atavistic
form as an explanation of offending behavior. This explanation
was focused on the notion that criminals have physical
distinguishing features.
Atavistic
Form
Features of the thief: expressive face, manual dexterity, and
small, wandering eyes.
Features of the murderer: cold, glassy stares, bloodshot eyes
and big hawk- like nose.
Features of sex offenders: thick lips and protruding ears.
Features of women offenders: shorter and more wrinkled,
darker hair and smaller skulls than ‘normal’ women.
THEORY OF HUMAN
PHYSIQUE
A theory founded by Ernest Kretschmer. He believed that
physical attributes could have an effect on personality and
behavior
FOUR BODY TYPES ACCORDING TO KRETSCHMER.
a. Asthenic – Skinny, associated with petty theft and fraud.
b. Athletic – Muscular, Associated with violent behavior.
c. Pyknic – Round (Fat), Associated with deception, fraud, and
violence
d. Dysplastic or Mixed type – less clear evident of having any
predominant type of body. Associated with crimes against
decency and morality.
SOMATOTYPING THEORY
William H. Sheldon (1898-1977) attempted to document a
direct link between biology (specifically, physique) and
personality (specifically, crime) through the development of a
classification system of personality patterns and corresponding
physical builds
FROM A STUDY OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MALE
PHYSIQUES, HE DERIVED THREE MADE BODY
TYPES:
A. Physique ectomorph – characterized by long, thin muscles
and limbs and low-fat storage. In everyday terms, ectomorphs
are slim.
B. The endomorph – characterized by increased fat storage, a
wide waist, and large bone structure. Endomorphs, in everyday
language, are fat. They have a smooth, round body, small
shoulders, and shorter limbs.
C. The mesomorph – The mesomorph body type is predisposed
to build muscle, but not store fat. They tend to be strong and
solid, neither overweight nor underweight. Their bodies may
be described as rectangular in shape with an upright posture.
QUIZ CHECK
1. A 21-years-old convicted for 24 years of imprisonment
of hitting and killing Jessica Raubenolt and her 1-year old
daughter Lilia with a Ford Mustang?
[Link] Merrin
[Link] Herin
[Link] Herrin
[Link] Herrin
2. It is a broad-base view that certain types of sexual behavior
are genetic and passed down for one generation another
through the process of evolution?
[Link] of Race and Evolution
[Link]’s Theory
[Link] Theory of Crime
D.R/K Theory
[Link] from the theory of the evolution of the human species
R stands for the Growth rate while K represents the caring
capacity?
[Link]’s theory
B.R/k Theory
[Link] of Inheritance
[Link] Studies
[Link] selection of desired heritable characteriestics in order to
improve future generations, typically in reference to human?
[Link] Eugenics
[Link]
[Link] Eugenics
[Link]
[Link] behavior of adoptees is compared with the outcomes of
their adopted and biological parents?
[Link] Studies
[Link] Atudies
[Link] Jukes Family Trre
[Link] of Inheritance
[Link] frontal lobe of the brain, an area that has become the
focus of biological investigations into criminal behavior, is
particularly sensitive to environmental toxins, such as lead and
manganese?
[Link] Toxins
[Link] Itters
[Link] Studies
[Link] Theory
7. It aims to produce more desirable human being by persuading intelligent
and healthy people to have more children?
[Link] Eugenics
[Link] jukes Family Tree
[Link] Theory
D.R/K Theory
8. It aims to eliminate undesirable human traits by now allowing
or limiting people such as feebleminded and epileptic from
producing children?
A. Positive eugenics
B. Negative eugenics
C. Eugenics
D. R/K Theory
9. This theory argues that men can have many children with
multiple women with little effort?
[Link] of Race and Evolution
[Link]’s Theory
C. Evolutionary theory
[Link] Theory of Crime
10. According to this theory it is believed that a subpopulation
of males was evolved with genes that learned them more
toward sexual reproduction with little involvement in the
offspring’s care?
A.R/k Theory
[Link] of Inheritance
[Link] Studies
D. Cheater’s theory