CJUS343 X 1502A 01 Criminology 04 05 2015 Intellipath
CJUS343-X-1502A-01 Criminology Intellipath
Biological Theory Learning Materials
As with other theories within the criminal justice theater, multiple variables exist within the study of the biological theory. The following will examine those most researched.
Constitutional Theory
Body types are examined and for the most part, explained through what is referred to as constitutional theory. This theory addresses offenders’ body types, genetics, or external observable physical characteristics (Schmalleger, 2012). Also known as somatotyping, classifying according to the body was, in the mid-20th century, the catalyst for constitutional theory. From this theory emerged four basic body types, as follows:
•The endomorph is an overweight person with a large stomach.
•The mesomorph will have large bones and more muscle mass.
•The ectomorph has very long, thin muscles in the extremities and delicate, thin bone structure.
•The balanced type is a person of average build, not overweight, nor overly muscular.
Behavioral Genetics
Science Behavioral genetics came to the forefront in 1993 when Dutch criminologists made the claim that they had discovered a specific gene that links individuals—particularly men—to criminal behavior. This was a study done on one family in the Netherlands and what was discovered, going back five generations, was that 14 men were classified as criminal types, but none of the women were.
This was attributed to the fact that men have only one X chromosome, while women have two. This second chromosome in women serves as a backup, in the event the other one becomes defective. However, with the men, once the one and only X chromosome becomes defective, it was discovered that the defect resulted in the production of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A (MAOA).
Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is crucially involved in the process by which signals are transmitted within the brain by breaking down the chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline—both of which have been
Biological Theory Learning Materials
As with other theories within the criminal justice theater, multiple variables exist within the study of the biological theory. The following will examine those most researched.
Constitutional Theory
Body types are examined and for the most part, explained through what is referred to as constitutional theory. This theory addresses offenders’ body types, genetics, or external observable physical characteristics (Schmalleger, 2012). Also known as somatotyping, classifying according to the body was, in the mid-20th century, the catalyst for constitutional theory. From this theory emerged four basic body types, as follows:
•The endomorph is an overweight person with a large stomach.
•The mesomorph will have large bones and more muscle mass.
•The ectomorph has very long, thin muscles in the extremities and delicate, thin bone structure.
•The balanced type is a person of average build, not overweight, nor overly muscular.
Behavioral Genetics
Science Behavioral genetics came to the forefront in 1993 when Dutch criminologists made the claim that they had discovered a specific gene that links individuals—particularly men—to criminal behavior. This was a study done on one family in the Netherlands and what was discovered, going back five generations, was that 14 men were classified as criminal types, but none of the women were.
This was attributed to the fact that men have only one X chromosome, while women have two. This second chromosome in women serves as a backup, in the event the other one becomes defective. However, with the men, once the one and only X chromosome becomes defective, it was discovered that the defect resulted in the production of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A (MAOA).
Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is crucially involved in the process by which signals are transmitted within the brain by breaking down the chemicals serotonin and noradrenaline—both of which have been