Four Biological Theories

A Focus on Biological Theories

In the study of criminology some scholars have theorized that criminal behavior can be explained through genetic and internal factors effecting the body. This form of positivism holds that people don’t commit criminal acts based solely on free choice, but on uncontrollable factors based on the individual’s genetic makeup. Past biological theories present themselves as unicausal at best; however, can be accepted as relative when studying integrated criminology theories. After analyzing four different biological theories, factors point out that any single biological theory cannot be the single overall theory explaining criminal behavior. Body chemistry effecting the brain in the study of criminality is the most

Studies and evidence does prove that higher testosterone levels do produce aggression particularly in males but cannot prove solely it causes criminal acts to transpire with some other contributing factor to include reasoning. Hormones directly affect the brain and organs of the body and scientific studies clearly prove testosterone increases aggression almost in all species including humans (Schmalleger, 2016, p. 68).

The amygdala part of the brain that analysis signals sent in from the body would certainly be affected by higher levels of hormones (LeDoux, 2015, p. 1). As for humans, the social environment the individual is associated with dictates how that aggression is expressed. Studies clearly show hormones can play a factor in criminal decision through aggressiveness when other components are associated. Examples of this could be the social environment effecting reasoning or low levels of serotine in the brain effecting behavior.

Ingested Substances and Blood Sugar

By measuring the size and shape of the head one can conclude the reasoning of criminal behavior ("Phrenology, Biological Theories of Crime," n/a, p. 1). This is one of the earliest theories in the study of biological criminology. Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828) believed that the brain and personality was in direct correlation to the brain and how the brain was developed indicated by the shape and size of the skull. In this theory personality had everything to do with criminal motivation. Today, no evidence can prove that the size and shape of a skull can explain criminality but did pave the road into further studies of atavism where primitive urges have descended down explaining criminal offenders; another theory failing to prove criminal behavior comprehensibly. Skull features explaining crime have failed to identify criminal behavior scientifically, instead only as a random connection or a casual