Biology and Crime Early Positivism: the legacy of the early 1900s Sociological Criticism and Dominance New Directions in Biological research Heredity research Biological Harms Biological Correlates Biosocial Theory

Early Biological Positivism Lombroso’s “born criminal” Darwinist theory of “atavism” Various theories of the “feeble-minded” Charles Goring, E.A. Hooten body stature and weight The XYY supermale Commonality of all these theories?

Biology from 1940-1980s Any hint of “biological research” was ridiculed, ignored, treated as “taboo.” Current Sociologists? Criticism was warranted Current Psychologists? “Knowledge destruction techniques” 1990s-present: rebirth of biological research Is modern biological research or theory any better?

The Heritability of Crime Family Studies “Jukes,” and “Killikaks” (major flaws) BUT – crime does appear to run in families Twin Studies Christianson (1977) “Concordance” rates: MZ (36%), DZ (12%) Criticism of twin studies? Adoption studies “cross fostering” analyses criminal history of biological parents vs. adoptive parents

Cross Fostering Analysis Mednick et al. (1984)

Molecular Genetics Gene Linkage Analysis The Human Genome Project Hans Brunner and associates and the crazy Dutch family However, such “one gene one disorder” (OGOD) situations unlikely to explain much crime The Human Genome Project Genome = the total DNA in an organism Some evidence for genes related to “novelty seeking” and ADD/ADHD Combinations of genes may “nudge” behavior

Biological Harms Prenatal or Perinatal insults Maternal drinking/smoking, delivery complications, low birthweight, etc. Exposure to toxins– lead Especially for kids (brain/CNS still developing) Sources of Lead Exposure Cincinnati Lead Study (and others)

Assuming that something is inherited or harmed... Biological Correlates of Crime Brain Activity & Central Nervous System PET scans Neurochemicals (serotonin) Frontal Lobe = planning, self-monitoring, etc. Autonomic Nervous System Heart rate, skin conductance Indirect measures (IQ, neuro-psych tests) ADD/ADHD, personality traits .....

Many things point to “arousal” Simple explanation = under aroused seek out thrills (such as crime) Related = higher level of fearlessness Others = arousal may relate to conditioning Mednick’s biosocial theory

Mednick’s biosocial theory Children refrain from crime when consistently socialized to do so (similar to?) Parental efficacy (consistent rewards/punishment) and social context of parenting Children have different “learning ability” Some do not feel the “sting” of punishment Low cortical arousal, low nesting heart rate, etc. Potent mix = poor parenting and low arousal

POLICY IMPLICATIONS Early Positivism Biosocial Criminology Eugenics (quotes from Hooten, others) Biosocial Criminology Biology may identify “high risk” kids Prevention can target “social” factors