Running head: BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Biological Theories and Criminal Behavior

Beth Logan
FPSY - 6135-4
December 28, 2015
Prof. Chad Tillbrook

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

There is little known about how risk factors predispose to antisocial or criminal behavior.
However, genetics and psychophysiological factors seem to offer stronger explanations for
antisocial behavior more so than the theories of pregnancy and birth complications.
Twin and adoption studies have shown evidence that there is a link between genetics and
antisocial aggressive behavior. Although, the environment must also play a factor over a lifespan
for genetics to come into play. For example, if the parents of a biological child are criminals the
risk of the child having criminal behavior increases if they are not raised in a positive and
nurturing environment.
In a genetic study researched with male Swedish adoptees Raine states that when hereditary
and environmental factors were present, 40% of the adoptees were criminal compared to 12.l%
with only genetic factors present, 6.7% for those with only a bad family environment, and 2.9%
when both genetic and environmental factors were absent (Raine, 2002, p. 312). Children that
are born with a genetic predisposition to criminal or antisocial behavior can be inhibited or
facilitated by the environment in which they live. t
The Psychophysiological theory, to my amazement, has measurements by electrodermal
and cardiovascular activity that is used when examining the relationship between antisocial
behavior and autonomic activity. Bartol & Bartol states that autonomic arousal theory of crime
hypothesizes that persistent, chronic offenders compared with those with no or little offending
history, will exhibit low levels of autonomic arousal across a wide variety of situations and
conditions (2011, p.61). A person that has a low heart rate also has low levels of arousal gives
them a sense of fearlessness and stimulates arousal. This makes an offender more likely to
engage in criminal activity because he or she doesnt have the fear of being caught or punished
and /the crime is giving them an excitement. On the other hand, those that have high levels of

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

arousal are less inclined to commit a crime because they are scared of being caught and of being
disapproved. However, just like other theories that are researched to explain the causes of
criminal behavior; social environment also influences psychophysiological factors. For example,
boys with low heart rates are more likely to become violent offenders in adulthood if there is a
poor parent child relationship.
The two biological theories that I think provides weak explanations for criminal behavior is
pregnancy and birth complications. I have had complications during birth, my daughter, and my
mother have and there is no one in my family that has been arrested for any serious or violent
crime. I can understand if a pregnant woman is doing drugs, smoking, or drinking while pregnant
because it puts toxins into the baby's system but complications during birth shouldnt have a
thing to do with it. The only person in my family that has ever been to jail is my brother and that
was when he was very young and it was for a minor crime which was all part of peer pressure.
His punishment from my father was enough for him to learn his lesson. My mother did have
complications giving birth to him and they had to use forceps which put a mark on his face that
is still there today and he is 54 years old; but he was never a problem child and never showed
any signs of antisocial behavior. During my pregnancy I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and
had complications with my set of twins 28 years ago where forceps had to be used and my
daughters have never been in trouble in school or with the law. Im not saying they didnt get
into trouble but only minor trouble around the house like fighting with siblings and sometimes
disobedient which I was able to handle. Their father wasnt always there in their life so their
family environment wasnt perfect either however they have never shown any signs of antisocial
behavior and certainly not violent behavior.

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Raine states that Birth complications such as anoxia , forceps delivery, and preeclampsia are
thought to contribute to brain damage, and they may be just one of a number of early sources of
brain dysfunction observed in child and adult antisocial groups (2002, p.319). I understand that
not all birth complications by theirself will predispose a child to crime but I think a lot more
research should be done on this theory because even in the cases of a negative environment a
child shouldnt become antisocial just because of complications during birth. I think in this case
it is probably the environment alone that is triggering antisocial behavior.
I think biological theories actually plays a minor role in criminal behavior and that the
environment in which a child is raised gives better explanation to criminal behavior.

References

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Bartol, C. R. & Bartol, A. M. (2012). Criminal Behavior: A Psychosocial Approach (Laureate

Education, Inc., custom ed.) . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Raine, A. (2002). Biosocial studies of antisocial and violent behavior in children and adults: A
review. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 30(4), 3112 6