Biological Roots of Criminal Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Biological Roots of Criminal Behavior - Essay ExampleBiological roots of vicious conduct lost much of its ground during the Second World War, largely discredited by Nazi Germanys eugenics and the discriminatory treatment of ethnic groups and races that were determined to be predisposed to deviance and thus unmercifully removed from society (Rafter, 2009). However, during the latter part of the 20th century, biological explanations of criminal carriage have been devising a comeback (Rafter, 2009). Biological explanations of criminal behavior have been largely influenced by investments in patrimonial studies atomic number 18 developing impressively and threatening to break the monopoly of sociological explanations (Rafter, 2010, p. 199). The emphasis on genetics was spurred by a determination to understand, predict and prevent harms of all types from cancer to terrorism to criminality (Rafter, 2009, p. 199). The renewed elicit in biocriminology has resulted in a number of theore tical assumptions. For instance, Robinson et al (2008) identified the progress made in scientific understandings of the connection between genes, the human brain and corresponding societal conduct. According to Robinson et al (2008), the connector is explained by reference to two key vectors of influence (p. 896). ... According to McInerney (1999) even if it were possible to explain social behavior by virtue of gene functioning and gene expression, environmental influences have a authoritative influence on factors that give way to criminal behavior. These factors atomic number 18 self-control, motives and any number of factors that function unconditional of an individuals genetic make-up (McInerney, 1999). Human behavior is at that placefore a complex empyrean of study and the factors contributing to criminal behavior are many. There is no single biological factor, nor is there a single environmental factor that causes criminal behavior. The most reasonable conclusion is that there are number of biological factors that interact with a number of environmental and social factors that lead to criminal behavior (Hamer, 2002). Hagan (2011) therefore suggested that biological theories of criminal behavior will never replace social etiology (p. 140). What we are left with is determining the psychological, biological, and sociological factors and how they interact to produce crime and delinquency (Hagan, 2011, p. 140). Mainstream criminologists are slow to overcompensate the concept of biological factors as appropriate explanations of criminal behavior. Perceptions among mainstream criminologists are that accepting biological explanations of criminal behavior is regressive. Biocriminology requires going back to antiquated ideals of the natural born criminal and accepting that criminal behavior is someways sick rather than criminal. Thus one is expected to ignore the reality that crime is essentially a conflict between law and behavior and as such can be correc ted by rehabilitation and/or punishment (Hagan, 2011). During the Victorian Era, scientific