Biological Theories Of Criminal Behavior

Early biological theories were limited to the technologies of the time. Increased industrialization, and heavy immigration and urban growth were effects of the ending of the cival war. These were the factors that stirred high crime rates up until World War II. Around this time phrenology came into practice. Phrenology is the practice of measuring the skull and other facial features to determine a persons character. The problem with this type of theory was we were letting our perception of human appearance effect our culture and social expectations. Nineteenth Century Europeans would classify a face as criminal where other parts of the world would see no correlation. Facial characteristics were used well into the twentieth century to
recognize and predict criminality. In 2008 a state prison in Arkansas saw a correlation between violent offenders and physically fit males. The studies authors stated that a well fit male did no predict criminality but it could be tangibly related to it. This study was called body type theory. The study related a persons body shape directly to a persons criminal tendencies. Biocriminology considers the brain and body as a source of anti social behavior. The search for the cause of crime and about heritability of behavior has been a violent one, and with good cause. The Nazis plans of Eugenics, Racism, Classism, and feeblemindedness fall in the line with the teachings of biocriminal behavior. If Biocriminolgy is indeed a valid cause for criminal behavior then the indeterminate model of sentetncing should be applied. According to this theory the people can not control their actions as they are pre destined to commit based on the physical features. We should then keep these offenders classified this way, under strict supervision until they can be prove no longer a danger to society. Social criminal theory is sort of a mix between biological theory and cognitive theory.
The social theory says that people learn how to act by watching others. The theory says that they copy things that get rewarded and avoid behavior that is punished. This theory goes on to say humans are like most animals in they are subject to reinforcement and punishment and can be conditioned to act a certain way. Social criminal theory explains that antisocial behavior is observed and learned by others and then reinforced by criminal activities. Everyone has the potential to be a criminal, depending on one’s interactions with various groups and institutions. Family and peers have the greatest influence on another persons behavior. Social theory shows that criminal behavior is learned the same way as other bahaviors are. Criminal behavior tends to increase when a person see s negative behavior being rewarded. This leads to the reinforcement of their criminal behaviors. Social bonds are created between people in a social setting and controls deviance and promotes conformity to the societal norms. As social bonds weaken criminal deviance tends to increase. These deviant individuals see crime as something desirable. They essentially use exposure to others and their criminal behavior to justify the reason they have delinquent tendencies. Sentencing people under the indeterminate sentencing model will work best with these people. They claim that their behavior is based upon
the action of others, then the people in prison should give them adequate stimuli to behaviors that they need to avoid. With the criminal element in the prison system the people who fall under social criminal theory would gravitate toward more criminal activities while incarcerated. If they can avoid the behavior while in prison, a much harsher enviornment with more criminal elements they should theoretically be able to function in society. Choice theory of crime is based on the belief that man is a reasoning person who weighs the ends and means as well as the cost and the benefits and then makes a choice whether to commit a crime or not.
Jeremey Bentham said the individual takes a hedonistic approach to criminal behavior. The person calculates the worth of breaking the law and its positive reactions versus the possible negative consequences if they are caught. Bentham suggested that potential offenders actually measure the projected pleasure of breaking the laws against the pain of getting caught. He believed that the legislatures should take this in to account when making laws to fit certain crimes. Classical criminology emphasizes due process procedures in our criminal justice system. The classical theory also advocates for the presumption of innocence and the accusers obligation to prove guilt before handing down punishment. Punishment and rehabilitation is the main policy of the classical criminological theorist. The classical theory advocates that all offenders receive the same sentence for the same offense. Classical theorist would make penalties more severe so poor people would not risk breaking the law. Deterrence under the classical theory focuses on the penalties for committing the offense, increasing the chances of getting caught, and ensuring a timely
punishment