...University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All evidence points to behavior such as aggression which can possibly...
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...University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All evidence points to behavior such as aggression which can possibly...
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...There has always been the ongoing debate as to whether nature or nurture plays a role in criminality. Some individuals may be predisposed and have a higher risk of developing criminal behavior due to some biological factors. Psychologists have been able to identify patterns using twin or adoption studies finding links with genetic testing which shows aggressiveness or the lack of self-control of one’s behavior. A meta-analysis preformed on 12 twins and 3 adoptions showed anti-social behavior that linked to genetics of criminality. This reveled that forty-eight percent could possibly be linked to genetically controlled criminal tendencies. (Mason, 1994) With the possible links to aggressiveness and genetics there have also been studies done into levels of hormones and their effects. Generally speaking, men tend to be more aggressive than women, this fact has led some to believe a spike in testosterone could in part be responsible for aggressive or criminal behavior. Olweus and his colleagues (1980) conducted a study of 58 16-year-old boys by testing various responses to physical and verbal aggression, frustration tolerance, self-confidence, and anxiety, and also obtaining blood samples, testing for testosterone levels. The study revealed that while personality measures had no significant relationship to testosterone, there were verbal and physical aggression in response to threats. Also that the lack of tolerance for frustration was related to testosterone level. Based on this...
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...the rest. It’s the nature versus nurture debate. This debate involves the belief that it is either the environment or biological traits that eventually lead juveniles to criminal behavior. Does some type of “evil gene” exist that causes some to commit crimes? There are some that feel that criminal behavior is due to a person’s upbringing and/or life experiences (“nurture”). Others feel that criminal behavior is much more than environmental factors and involves a person’s genetic makeup (“nature”). Are people just born that way? Is criminal behavior...
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...How Genetics Affect Criminal Behavior Lynn Wigtion English Comp 2 4/27/2003 Amy DeBolt The human behavioral system is neither environmentally or genetically determined, but does have potentials that come through interaction of the environment and genes (Jones, pg.87). Concerning criminal behavior, many people want to blame the parents, or the individual’s upbringing, especially if it is a child or a teen committing a crime. Others want to blame social media and gaming or our society. While all of these can play a role in criminal behavior, so does genetics. Let’s repeat that, genetics play a role in criminal behavior, not make a person become a criminal. Genes do not cause behavior, but they affect tendencies to behave in certain ways (Nurnberger, Aug 10, 2006, para. 3). Anything can influence an individual to act and behave like a criminal, but those things do not make individuals commit crimes. That is entirely a choice. Genes contribute to an individual’s patterns because genes affect learning. Saying that something is influenced genetically is not saying environmental factors are not relevant. Saying a behavior is influenced genetically is not saying that it is unalterable or inevitable. “A predisposition is not predestination (Jones, pg87). Several components that contribute to criminal behavior are looked at; however, genetic factors are often overlooked as an important attribute. Some genetic influences are children who have behavior or disruptive disorders...
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...Serial Killer is born a killer not made into one Introduction: This essay will discuss psychopathy, by connecting an individual's criminal behaviour or psychopathic tendencies to their biological makeup. It will do so through analysing the theory of nature vs nurture and three experiments or research. The theory of nature vs nurture will attempt to provide a base for psychological understanding of serial killer tendencies. The essay will then attempt to reassert the nature aspect of theory as a reality through the three experiments that will be discussed. Thesis: In all, this essay will prove to link that biological deviations are the primary cause of criminal or aggressive behaviour in an individual. Paragraph 1: Experiment/ research...
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...The use of low intelligence as a predictor of criminal behaviour has been the cause of considerable controversy within criminal justice discourse across a range of societies and cultures for many centuries. The downtrodden of society, for the most part those of low socio-economic status, have often been victims of labelling theories that associate their desperation for survival with low intelligence, along with their associated frequent mistreatment as miscreants. The source of such labelling and definitions originates in all societies with those in positions of power imposing laws, policies and stigmas on those without power. A self-fulfilling prophecy often follows, perpetuating the belief, or lending credence to the theory. Even with the evolution of largely Western societies over the centuries, there is still a widely held view that low intelligence and low socio-economic status are often synonymous, and the fact that crime is far more prolific in neighbourhoods of this demographic, supports the link, no matter how misguided. The works of Greek and Roman philosophers, along with many biblical quotes, all show the exploitation of lower classes with their regard often being less than human. The thinking of the times subsequently followed that a less than humanistic existence equated to low intelligence and unlawful behaviour would sooner or later be exhibited by these masses. Lack of education and access to autonomy, as well as the ability to make decisions that would lead...
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...development of the criminal mind John Sanders AIU Online For many, determining the cause of crime would cease crime. Others believe that there is a genetic disorder which causes criminal behavior. This debate has been raging for centuries and will continue for many more years. Some opinions believe that the environment a person is in plays a part in the decision making, and to some degree that may be true. An example of this idea may be an unemployed parent who is trying to feed the children and out of desperation turns to crime as a way of fulfilling a need. In a majority of cases, criminals are defined by the crimes that they commit. Some crimes are considered to be less offensive than others and some crimes are only crimes because the behavior or activity was made criminal by legislative action which criminalized that behavior. For an example of this we need only to look to the people of the Appalachia region of the eastern United States. Early in the U.S history when the immigrants settled they brought with them their ability to distil whiskey. To those who lived in that region home brewed whiskey was part of their daily lives. U.S. legislated laws prohibiting the making and distributing of their liquor and a new culture emerged in the outlaw bootlegger. This outlaw was responsible for supplying the demand for the now illegal “corn squeeze ins” as well as the creator of a national pastime namely NASCAR. That is one example of what creates a criminal, but what about...
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...of violence back to our ancestors, and early human civilization, by evaluating artifacts left behind by specific civilizations like Ancient Mesopotamians and Babylonians (Siegel, 2013). The primal human would not hesitate to attack with violence (Siegel, 2013). It was customary for tribal members to shield other tribal members using violence or force to control activities within, and outside of the tribes (Siegel, 2013). Violence was a means of survival for them (Siegel, 2013). Criminologists study many different ideologies of violent behaviors (Levitt, 2013). They typically research the following questions when evaluating violence: what causes a person to have violent outbursts? Is being violent a mental impairment, illness, or disorder? Are we predisposed to criminality by some trait or gene? Is there something subconsciously inside of humanity that makes an individual violent? Do we live in a world where we can control the antisocial behavior of our children by taking care of our bodies when pregnant? Alternatively, is the environment a place where individuals learn to be violent? In 1977, George Engel wrote an essay advocating a new model of crime identified as the biopsychosocial model (Nordstrom, 2011). This model integrates “the biological view of the subject, their psychological state of mind, and the social background in which they occur” (Nordstrom, 2011). One single element does not cause violence, but a combination of biology, psychology, and sociology...
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...and movies. We will address the issue of whether being a criminal is an inherent trait or learned behavior, the average age group of most dealers and their family and social environments. I will only use data as it pertains to cocaine, whether it is powder or crack, heroin and methamphetamine since they are the preferred choice. What constitute criminal behavior Criminal behavior is a behavior in which the offender commits an offense that has been deemed as being unlawful act and punishable by the government and usually it is against individuals or property. Criminal behavior is seen as being prohibition or possession that constitutes a menace against the general public or society. In hope of confining and understanding criminal behavior researcher begin to study the brain of violent crime and compare their findings to the brain imaging “normal” individual. Through doing this they came up a new field of study called neurocriminology. Adrian Raine has studied the brain image of murders, violent criminals and psychopaths and from this research, he is convinced that there is a social and environmental cause to violent behavior. Although he is also convinced there exist a biology side of this type of behavior (npr.org, 2013). Believing that just as it is a biological reason for schizophrenia and anxiety disorders and depression and there exist biological recidivists violent offending. Raine re-visioning of violent criminals would hypothetically be of help how we approach crime prevention...
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...Personality Disorder (APD) is capable of just that and much more. Common careers of people diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder include, sales, management, and business professionals, as well as con artists. This is not an exhaustive list of careers for the antisocial person, as it is common practice for an antisocial person to be a career criminal, and in the most severe cases a serial killer. APD has been defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association as a person having, “a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others” (1994, p.645). The criteria outlined in the DSM-IV notes that APD behavior is indicated by at least 3 of the following characteristics: 1) failure to conform to social norms, 2) deceitfulness, 3) impulsivity, 4) irritability, 5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others, 6) consistent irresponsibility, and 7) lack of remorse (1994, p. 645). It is essential to isolate the cause or causes of antisocial behavior because people with APD account for such a large portion of the criminal population. In The Antisocial Personalities, David Lykken notes, “that these criteria identify more than half of the men we refer to as common...
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...Dеcеіt аnd mаnіpulаtіon dіstіnguіsh thеіr іntеrpеrsonаl rеlаtіonshіps. Mеn аnd womеn wіth а dіаgnosіs of antisocial pеrsonаlіty dіsordеr show somе еmotіon for contеmpt for othеrs. Thеіr lаck of еmpаthy іs oftеn аssocіаtеd wіth іnflаtеd sеlf-еstееm аnd supеrfіcіаl chаrm, whіch tеnds to mаsk the іndіffеrеncе of thе іnnеr nееds аnd fееlіngs of othеrs. Somе studіеs suggеst pеoplе wіth APD cаn only mіmіc thе еmotіons аssocіаtеd wіth а commіttеd rеlаtіonshіp of lovе аnd frіеndshіp thаt most pеoplе fееl nаturаlly. They usually will not take responsibility for any of their own suffering always blaming others for their problems. Research has shown that a large percentage of individuals with this disorder have recognizable behaviors prior to age 15. These behaviors include difficulty with authority, legal altercations, cruelty to animals, fire setting and a dislike or anger toward authority. DSM-IV APPLICATION DSM-IV-TR dіаgnostіc crіtеrіа for аntіsocіаl chаrаctеr dіsordеr (301.7) A. Thеrе іs а pеrvаsіvе...
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...Causes for Criminal Behavior Ashford University CRJ 308 September 3, 2013 Causes for Criminal Behavior According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 1,203,564 violent crimes committed in the United States in the year 2011. That means that someone was murdered every 36 minutes, raped every 6.3 minutes, robbed every 1.5 minutes and assaulted every 42 seconds. But why do people commit these crimes? What drives them to harm others? "Criminal behavior and violence may be the consequence of head injuries acquired during childhood and youth" (Carrington & Ramos, 2003) neurological and neuropsychological anomalies or the upbringing and social interactions of the child's upbringing. Some people read the morning paper to keep up on current events while others watch the evening news, but regardless of the method they are all looking to see what sort of crimes have been committed that day. Crime has become so common that people skip reading about simple offences such as breaking and entering and theft and move on to the more interesting violent crimes such as forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. However, every once in a while a crime occurs that is so tragic it shocks the nation back into reality and makes people question their safety even with their family, neighbors and friends. These are the crimes that remind us that we walk hand in hand with the criminally insane on a daily basis without realizing it. But if they are insane should they be...
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...Diathesis-stress model of psychopathology is a psychological theory that attempts to explain behavior as a predisposition vulnerability together with stress from life experiences. With this model can involve a particular genetic makeup, physiology, set of cognitions, personality, or a combination of these. In infants a common disorder is autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this disorder is characterized by abnormal social and communication development, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. Individuals with autism function poorly throughout adolescents and adults, however a few seem to improve with age. No one environmental cause has been identified for this disorder to develop, researchers believe that there are multiple pathways through which autism can occur. These pathways include a variety of various environmental pollutants, toxins and viruses. Suspected causes of autism is when segments of DNA that affect neural communication have been copied too many times or too few times during cell division. This happens more often than not when the fathers are older due to the fact that in the formation of sperm, mutations and copy number variations become more common. Another theory suggested that exposure to a mercury compound (Thimerosal), this compound has formerly been used in normal childhood vaccines such as Measles, Mumps and German Measles/Rubella (MMR) This is due to the fact that children start to develop symptoms of autism during the period of time they received MMR...
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...Though, both sides bring forth compelling arguments and facts, I side with Joshua Buckholtz, mostly. Nature versus nurture is a massive debate and I lean towards the nurture side. Not only because of facts but due to personal experience. Now, as I said, I “mostly” agree with Buckholtz. I cannot discredit Beaver and Schwartz’s claims and facts. Although, I do have some problems with some of their claims and Buckholtz supports my thinking, along with Sue Titus Reid’s dualistic fallacy criticism. While I do believe that there is a biological/genetic component to human behavior, I feel it is limited on how much it affects an individual. Beaver and Schwartz claim that theories originally presented did not explain crime well enough and focused exclusively...
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