Skip to main content

#12 Latent Trait

 

Module #12


Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. retell the concept of latent trait theory; and

2. relate this theory to a specific object.

LATENT TRAIT THEORY

 

Latent trait is defined as a stable feature, characteristic, property, or condition, such as defective intelligence, impulsive personality, genetic abnormalities, the physical-chemical functioning of the brain and environmental influences on brain function such as drugs, chemicals and injuries that make some people delinquency-prone over the life course. Latent theorists such as David Rowe, Wayne Osgood and Alan Nicewander (1990) focus on basic human behavior and drive such as attachment, aggression, violence, impulsivity—that are linked to antisocial behavior patterns. They recognized that human traits alone do not produce criminality and that it is a combination of environmental factors such as family life, educational attainment, economic factors, and neighborhood conditions. Physical or mental traits are, therefore, but one part of a large pool of environmental, social, and personal factors that account for criminality. Some people may have a predisposition toward aggression, but environmental stimuli can either suppress or trigger antisocial acts (Siegel, 2011). One example is, when a person has an impulsive personality. This person may somehow commit crime because he acts in an impulsive manner like when he suddenly draws his gun aiming at his enemy but unfortunately he hit another person.

Latent Trait Theory in as its name suggests, means that every individual has a set of inborn traits in them with varying degrees. For Example: Aggressiveness, control over impulses, self- centeredness. So there are individuals who are born more aggressive, with little self-control over their impulses and have very little concern over the needs of others and such individuals have high tendencies to commit crime.

One of the traits mentioned in some articles is intelligence and that the lower the intelligence of the individual the more likely they are to commit a crime. An individual with poor impulse control and an inability to feel fear or see the consequences of their actions are more likely to be criminals because when a criminal thought comes in it usually has a reward, an individual who can control their impulse can hold back and not commit the crime, the one with weaker control will tend to give in. Even so, if they can see the consequences of their actions and are fearful of them they will not be inclined to act, it is only when they can’t see the consequences and the fear that they carry on with the criminal act.






Q1. Does it mean that if a certain person possesses a genetic abnormality; he’s prone to criminality?

Answer: Not at all times. As mentioned in this theory latent trait alone does not produce criminality.

Q2. What do critics say about this theory?


Answer: Critics said that this theory describes personality traits rather than explains it.

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#13 Family Studies (Jukes & Kallikak Family)

  Module #13 Lesson Objectives: At the end of this module, you should be able to: 1.   create concept maps of the family line of the Jukes’ and Kallikak’s Family; and apply the theory in real-life situations. JUKES FAMILY  Advocates of the inheritance school, such as Henry Goddard, Richard Dugdale, and Arthur Estabrook, traced several generations of crime-prone families (referred to by pseudonyms such as the “Jukes” and the “Kallikaks”), finding evidence that criminal tendencies were based on genetics. Their conclusion: traits deemed socially inferior could be passed down from generation to generation through inheritance (Siegel, 2011). According to Richard Louis Dugdale in his book, “The Jukes": A Study in Crime, Pauperism, Disease and Heredity, Also Further Studies of Criminals, stated the origin of the stock of the “Jukes”, there was a hunter, a fisher, a hard drinker, and a jolly-man named Max who was also a descendant of the Dutchess settler. Two of Max’s s...
Post a Comment
Read more

#1 Philosophy of Social Norms and Ethics: Human Mind and Behavior

Module#1 Lesson Title:  Philosophy of Social Norms and Ethics: Human Mind and Behavior Lesson Objectives: At the end of this module, you should be able to: 1. examine the concept of human mind and how it affects the behavior; and 2. apply the different types of norms in the different scenarios. Productivity Tip: “Start strong! Train your brain to shift to work mode by setting a regular time during the day for your lessons. Set an alarm and stick to your working hours.” A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW Introduction (2 mins) Good day, everyone! Welcome to our topic this morning entitled “ Philosophy of Social Norms and Ethics: Human Mind and Behavior ”. The learning objectives of this lesson are: first you are going to examine the concept of human mind and how it affects the behavior of a person and you have to apply the different types of norms in the different scenarios. As a student taking this subject, you need to know first what is human mind and how does it affect our behavior since yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

#9 Biosocial Theory

  Module #9 Lesson Title: Biosocial Theory   Lesson Objectives: At the end of this module, you should be able to: 1.   discuss the concepts of biosocial theory; and 2.   explain its sub-concepts. BIOSOCIAL THEORY This theory viewed that both thought and behavior have biological and social bases. Biosocial theorists believe that it is the interaction between predisposition and environment that produces criminality. Children born into a disadvantaged environment often do not have the social and familial support they need to overcome their handicaps. Lack of family support can have long-term physical consequences. For example, a child’s neural pathways may be damaged by repeated child neglect or abuse. Once experiences are ingrained, the brain “remembers,” and a pattern of electrochemical activation is established, which remains present across the lifespan. Contemporary biosocial theorists seek to explain the onset of antisocial behaviors, such as aggr...
Post a Comment
Read more