Biological Theories Of Human Behavior

Biological theories are “theories that maintain that the basic determinants of human behavior, including criminality, are constitutionally or physiologically based and often inherited” (pg. 81 Schmalleger). Common assumptions of this are that physical attributes can cause an individual to commit criminal activities. It is believed that certain physical attributes are passed down from parent to offspring. Many early theorists believed that criminality ran in families and could be inherited. “Johan Caspar Lavater believed that the shape of the skull and other facial features impacted human conduct. Cesare Lombroso began examining other parts of the body such as ear size, amount of hair, etc. to compare the characteristics of criminals to other
animals that were considered to be more primitive (Dalino).” Modern criminologists disagreed with this research due to lack of evidence. Biological theories focus on the brain as the locus of personality. Gender and race difference are the result of biological differences. A majority of human actions are rooted in instinctive behavioral responses for examples territoriality, condemnation of adultery, and acquisitiveness. It is believed that some human behavior is the result of biological tendencies inherited from primitive developmental stages. Meaning individuals are further along evolutionary ladder than others. In the end the biological theories are based mostly on the belief that criminality behavior and actions can be inherited.