CRIM 102 - Chapter 3

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Criminal behavior results from a complex interplay of social and biological factors. Social
factors are a reflection of environmental sources of influence, such as socioeconomic status.
The terms "biological" and "genetic" are often confused, in part due to the fact that they
represent overlapping sources of influence. Biological factors are more inclusive, consisting
of physiological, biochemical, neurological, and genetic factors. Genetic factors refer to
biological factors that are inherited. Social factors, on the other hand, cannot be inherited.
Until recently, the majority of criminological research focused solely on social contributors,
either minimizing or negating the importance of genetic and biological influences on
criminal behavior.

1. LOMBROSIAN THEORY
Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909) was an Italian psychiatrist and military medical doctor who
developed theories about the criminals. His theories are no longer valid today. Only credit
which can be given to Lombroso is that he was the pioneer in inducement of scientific
methods to criminology. Although anthropometric measurements were correct, the causal
connection between human physical traits and criminality was deceptive. Sometimes
scientists spend their whole career proving their hypotheses. Similar things happen in every
area of human social activity. Development and understanding of scientific methods made
possible to prove flaws of many studies in criminology and other sciences.

Lombroso developed the theory about "born criminal". In 3000 anthropometric

measurements he found some biological traits of criminals.

Biological traits of born criminal are:

-unusual size or shape of the head,
-strange eyes,
-facial asymmetry,
-extended jaw and jaw bone,
-too big or too small ears,
-full lips leaned forward,
-abnormal teeth,
-wrinkled skin,
-nose curled up; thieves have a flat nose and murderers have a beak nose,
-too long, too small or flat chin,
-dark skin and
-too long arms.
According to Lombroso, persons who have five or more biological traits are born criminals.
Beside physical traits Lombroso introduces some other traits of born criminal:

1) hypersensitivity to pain and touch,

2) use of special criminal slang,

3) grotesque expression of thoughts,

4) tattoos and

5) unemployment.

Lombroso later changes the theory of born criminal and develops a new theory.
Classification of criminals is made into three categories:

1) born criminals (30% of all criminals),

2) abnormal criminals (idiots, imbeciles, paranoids,melancholics, paralytics,
epileptics,demented persons, alcoholics and hysterics)
3) occasional criminals
a) criminaloids
b) pseudo criminals
c) criminals out of habit

Criminaloids had difficulties during their childhood and can occasionally behave
delinquently. Pseudo criminals insane persons and those who committed crime in self
defense. Habitual criminals had a poor education during their childhood or have been in
social interaction with criminals.

Five Key Principles of the Classical School of Criminology

1. Rationality: The classical school assumes that people have free will and that they choose
to commit crimes. For example, if Jordan decides to steal some candy at the store, he is not
forced to, based on some pre-destiny. He chooses to steal that candy. Not only that, he thinks
about it beforehand and says to himself, 'I really want candy, and I don't have money, so I
will steal it.' This is the rational thinking that goes into his planning to commit a crime.

2. Hedonism: The classical school also assumes that people seek pleasure and try to avoid
pain. For example, when Jordan looks at the candy in the store, he thinks about how it will
bring him pleasure, so he steals it.
3. Punishment: Remember how we said that a key idea was the idea of hedonism, where
people seek pleasure and try to avoid pain? Well, that informs punishment, according to the
classical school. For example, if Jordan thinks about stealing the candy and then realizes that
he could go to jail for it, he might not steal it because he'll be trying to avoid the pain of jail.
In this way, the classical school of criminology believes that punishment works as a deterrent
to crime.

4. Human rights: Jordan has learned that before the classical school of criminology,
punishments could be very harsh indeed. It was not uncommon to torture someone who was
only suspected of a crime, and the punishments once convicted could be horrifying.

5. Due process: The idea of due process is that people accused of a crime are considered
innocent until proven guilty, and that they have the chance to go to trial and face the judicial
system. If Jordan was accused of stealing the candy and then just thrown in jail without a
trial, that would be a violation of his due process.

Biological Theories of Crime

Linguistically speaking, the term atavism means (evolutionary throwback.) lhe term
emerged during the 1870s in the Italian school of criminology. During this time, criminology
studies were largely an extension of medical studies, based on observable physical and
anatomical characteristics that made these individuals different from others.

Victim precipitation is a criminology theory that analyzes how a victims interaction with an
offender may contribute to the crime being committed. The theory is most commonly
associated with crimes like homicide, rape, assault, and robbery.

The phrase 'victim precipitation' was first introduced by 20th century criminologist Marvin
Wolfgang, in his article entitled Victim Precipitated Criminal theory, Wolfgang describes the
victim as the first in the homicide drama to use physical force against his subsequent slayer.

2. WILLIAM SHELDON'S THEORY

Who Is William Sheldon?

We all draw conclusions about people based on how they look Maybe we think blondes
aren't smart or that all skinny men with glasses are scientists. As humans, we tend to label
folks, or describe them in a few words based only on a quick glance. We also know this
system is flawed; you actually can't judge a book by its cover. Take a look at some famous
blondes like biologist Jane Goodall or Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for
evidence!
We now know that we can't judge people based on appearances, but some interesting
observations on the subject were made by William Sheldon, an early American psychologist
born on November 19 1898 . Sheldon was a watcher of people who took his observations
and formed a theory about thein. Sheldon published a system of classifying people based on
their body types in two documents: The Varieties of Human Physique in 1940 and The
Varieties of Temperament in 1942.

Sheldon used his observations to classify body types into three categories: ectomorph,
endomorph and mesomorph. Let's look at them in more depth.

Ectomorph

The ectomorph, according to Sheldon, was a thin, introverted person with poor social skills.
Think of television's Steve Urkel or Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or even Sheldon from
The Big Bang Theory. These characters possess the ectomorph body type:

● narrow hips, shoulders, face, chest

● skinny arms and legs
● high forehead

Ectomorphs were thought to have the following personality characteristics:

● socially awkward
● self-conscious
● introverted and private
● artistic
● thoughtful

Endomorph

Now reverse your thinking. What personality jumps into your head when you think of Santa
Claus? Do you naturally associate a jolly, fun personality with people who are rounder in
physique? If so, you're putting Sheldon's body type theory into practice. Santa Claus
possesses the endomorph body type, which is a rounder body and more relaxed personality,
with the following physical characteristics:
● pear-shaped or round with wide shoulders and hips
● high body fat in all areas, including arms and thighs
● slim ankles and wrists, adding to the 'funny' characteristic

Sheldon thought endomorphic people had personalities that were:

● outgoing
 ● funny
● loving
● laid-back
● attention-seeking

Mesomorph

When you think of a mesomorph, picture Bradley Cooper or Angelina Jolie. The mesomorph
is a square body with an active personality and considered a more desirable body and
personality. They have the following physical characteristics:

● broad shoulders and a narrow waist

● a trim or muscular body with a 'strong' feel
● proportionate facial features not only did they get the goods on looks, according to
Sheldon's theory they also had the following qualities:
● Outgoing
● Courageous
● Full of life
● Competitive
● Risk taker

3. BIOCHEMICAL THEORIES OF DELINQUENCY: THE AGGRESSIVE

BEHAVIOR CAUSED BY DIET

Crime and sugar

Biochemical theories claim that there is a causal connection between blood sugar levels,
anti-social behavior and delinquency. Theories are mostly represented in the field of juvenile
delinquency and presume that poor nutrition affects delinquent behavior, Poor nutrition
directly affects the learning process, However, the causal connection between delinquency
and candies isn't direct. Excessively low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause the
development of negative behavior, nervous behavior, mental confusion, physical weakness,
delirium and violence. Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause hpoglycemia and
increase aggressive behavior,

Cholesterol and crime

Clinical trials made found a relation between low cholesterol and aggressive behavior in
animals. "Ihe study conducted in Sweden on 79,777 men and women at age (24-70), who
had police arrest records for violent crimes, found a strong connection between lowered
levels of cholesterol and violent behavior, Measurements of cholesterol levels of violent
offenders were compared with measurement records of non-offenders based on gender, age,
type of offender (sexual or violent), alcohol consumption and enrollment year. Low levels of
cholesterol are associated with persons who have difficulties with internalization of social
norms and have the tendency to be irresponsible. Low cholesterol levels can cause
hypoglycemia.

Vitamins and crime

Vitamins and minerals are very important in a regular diet, Disruption of homeostasis can
cause difficulties. Theory states that IOW intake of vitamins, and minerals can cause
delinquent behavior.

4. GENERAL INFERIORITY THEORY/HOOTON'S THEORY

Earnest Albert Hooton (November 20, 1887 — May 3, 1954) was an American physical
anthropologist known for his work on racial classification. Hooton conducted detailed
research on physical and racial characteristics, and used his data to develop wide-reaching
analyses of the racial components of American Indians and, more controversially, to attempt
to characterize the physical attributes of criminals. While his efforts to connect the external,
physical form of people to their internal personality or character had some merit, his
simplistic extrapolation to actual behavior was methodologically and logistically flawed.
Nevertheless, his academic work established physical anthropology as a scientific discipline
in American universities, and his writings awakened the general publics interest in this field.