Biological Perspectives in Criminology *

Abstract

For several decades, mainstream criminology has been dominated by sociological and political perspectives. Although findings from these fields must not be discarded or underplayed, considered alone, they do not offer a complete assessment of the contributions to criminal behavior. Data currently being generated from numerous behavioral sciences, such as behavioral genetics, physiological psychology, psychopharmacology, and endocrinology, indicate that biological factors play an equally significant role in the development of antisocial behavior and should be considered accordingly. Incorporation of the theoretical parameters and findings of these behavioral sciences into a criminological framework would yield valuable in formation regarding processes underlying antisocial behavior. Such a multidisciplinary approach is likely to enhance capabilities to predict, prevent, and manage antisocial behavior. Theoretical parameters, methodological issues, selected research findings, potential applications, and precautions are discussed.

Intergenerational Educational Effects of Mass Imprisonment in America

“…M. Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) identify personally persistent and pervasive predispositions as low self-control that often results from ineffective parenting of children; J. Q. Wilson and Herrnstein (1985) refer to high impulsivity and low conscience with more ambiguous sources; while biological criminologists point to a physiological propensity for criminal offending perhaps resulting from low autonomic nervous system conditionability or biochemical imbalances (Fishbein 1990). While differing in their labeling of the predispositions, these formulations agree that a stable and versatile range of outcomes including parental imprisonment and school and child educational failure are products of common causes and resulting processes of self-selection.…”

Estudo de revisão dos fatores biológicos, sociais e ambientais associados com o comportamento agressivo

“…49 Studies have shown that animals on a tryptophan-poor diet presented high rates of aggressive behavior. 50 In children, zinc and/or iron deficiencies are also related to increased aggressive behavior 51,52 since iron deficiency may reduce dopaminergic transmission.…”

Addicted to the Risk, Recognition and Respect that the Graffiti Lifestyle Provides: Towards an Understanding of the Reasons for Graffiti Engagement

“…Physical aggression has been linked to increased involvement in criminal behaviour (Doidge 2007;Dutton 2002;Fishbein 2001). The early adolescent attraction towards physical acts of aggression manifests itself in the graffiti context as 'slashing' (i.e., the drawing a line through someone else's or another crew's tag).…”