CHAPTER 3

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES
• Criminal behavior results from a complex interplay of social and biological
factors.
• Criminological research focused solely on social contributors, either
minimizing or negating the importance of genetic and biological
influences on criminal behavior.
• SOCIAL factors are a reflection of environmental sources of influence,
such as socioeconomic status.
• BIOLOGICAL factors are more inclusive, consisting of physiological,
biochemical, neurological and genetic factors.
• GENETIC factors refer to biological factors that are inherited.
• SOCIAL factors cannot be inherited.
BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION

• Some genetic theories stated that people with XXY chromosome syndrome
or so called “macro men” (who have an extra Y chromosomes) are
predisposed to commit crimes.
• The studies conducted in animals it was found that elevated levels of
hormones in woman and men affect the emergence of aggressive behavior.
• Higher levels of testosterone affect the occurrence of aggressive behavior.
• Elevated testosterone levels will affect the increase in aggressive behavior,
while subtracting testosterone levels will act to reduce aggressive behavior.
• Studies dealt in brain concluded that the temporal lobe and some sub-
cortical brain areas are responsible of aggressive behavior.
• According to biological theories, punishment will not affect deterring the
individual from the crime, because the person (criminal) has some inherited
remnant, stigmata etc.
LOMBROSIAN THEORY
• He is the FATHER OF MODERN CRIMINOLOGY (Cesare Lombroso 1835-
1909)
• Lombroso proposed that criminas are biologically different from other
human beings.
• He believed that criminals are throwbacks to a more primitive stage of
human evolution and that criminal tendency is inherited.
• Criminals exhibit more physical and mental abnormalities than non-
criminals such as UNUSUAL SKULL SIZES AND ASYMMETRIC FACIAL
STRUCTURES.
BASIC IDEA OF THE POSITIVE THEORY
1. CRIMINALS ARE BORN NOT MADE
2. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF NATURE , NOT NURTURE
3. FOCUSED ON BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS TO
EXPLAIN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF BORN CRIMINALS
• Unusual size or shape of the head
• Strange eyes
• Facial asymmetry
• Extended jaw and jaw bone
• Too big or too small ears
• Full lips leaned forward
• Abnormal teeths
• Nose curled up
• Too long, too small or flat chin
• Dark skin and too long arms
Acc. To Lombroso, persons who have five
or more biological traits are born
criminals. Some physical traits of born
criminals are;
1. HYPERSENSITIVITY TO PAIN AND
TOUCH
2. USE OF SPECIAL CRIMINAL SLANG
3. GROTESQUE EXPRESSION OF
THOUGHTS
4. TATTOOS
5. UNEMPLOYMENT
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMINALS
1. BORN CRIMINALS
2. ABNORMAL CRIINALS (idiots, paranoids, epileptics, alcoholics and
hysterics)
3. OCCASIONAL CRIMINALS ( criminaloids, pseudo criminals, criminals out
of habit)
• CRIMINALOIDS- had difficulties during their
childhood and can occasionally behave
deliquently.
• PSUEDO CRIMINALS- are insane persons and
those who committed crime in self defense.
• HABITUAL CRIMINALS- had a poor education
during their childhood or have been in social
interaction with criminals.
CRIMINOLOGY THEORETICAL SCHOOLS OF
THOUGHT
1. RATIONALITY- The classical school assumes that people have free will and
that they choose to commit crimes. It is a planning to commit a crime
2. HEDONISM- people who seek pleasure and try to avoid pain
3. PUNISHMENT- punishment works as a deterrent to crime
4. HUMAN RIGHTS- punishment could be very harsh. It was not uncommon to
torture someone who was only suspected of a crime and the punishments
once convicted could be horrifying.
5. DUE PROCESS- people accused of a crime are considered innocent until
proven guilty, and they have the chance to go to trial and face the judicial
system.
AVATISM
• A person whose biological features and socialization are far behind the
times of the present day.
• EVOLUTIONARY THROWBACKS- means of atavism that studies physical
and anatomical characteristics that made these individuals different from
others.
• VICTIM PRECIPITATION- a criminology theory that analyzes how a victims
interaction with an offender may contribute to the crime being committed.
Crimes like HOMICIDE, RAPE, ASSAULT, AND ROBBERY. The victim is the
active participant in the crime who acts first and encourage or provokes the
offender.
WILLIAM SHELDON’S THEORY
Body type could define personality.
1. ECTOMORPH- A thin, introverted person with poor social skills.
2. ENDOMORPH- A round body and more relaxed personality
3. MESOMORPH- a square body with an active personality and considered a
more desirable body and personality.
BIOCHEMICAL THEORIES OF DELIQUENCY; THE
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR CAUSED BY DIET
• CRIME AND SUGAR- poor nutrition affects the the learning process.
Excessively low levels of blood sugar can cause the development of negative
behavior, nervous behavior, mental confusion, physical weakness, delirium
and violence.
• CHOLESTEROL AND CRIME- low levels of cholesterol are associated with
persons who have difficulties with internalization of social norms and have
the tendency to be irresponsible.
• VITTAMINS AND CRIME- low intake of vitamins and minerals can cause
delinquent behavior.
GENERAL INFERIORITY THEORY
• EARNEST ALBERT HOOTON- he classified characteristics into
SOCIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PANTHOLOGICAL AREAS.
1. Criminals are less often married and more often divorced
2. Criminals often have tattoos
3. Criminals have thinner beards and body hair, and their hair is reddish
brown and straight
4. Criminals have blue gray eyes or dark
5. Criminals have sloping foreheads, high nasal bridges and thin lips
6. Criminals ears are rolled and perceptible
SOMATOTYPE;
• tall-slender- men are predisposed for murder and rubbery
• Tall medium- men for forgery
• Tall heavy- men for first degree murder
• Medium height heavy- for antisocial behavior
• short slender- for burglary and larceny
• Short medium heavy- for arson
• Short heavy- men for sex offenses.
HOOTONS THEORIES WERE CRITICIZED AND CHARACTERIZED AS
RACIST.