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.
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 aggression and violence, by focusing on the physical
qualities of the offenders. Their research efforts appear to be concentrated in
three (3) distinct areas of study:
biochemical factors, neurological dysfunction, and genetic influences (Siegel
et. al, 2007).
1. Biochemical Factors
Stresses about the relationship between antisocial behavior and
biochemical makeup and that body chemistry can govern behavior and personality,
including levels of aggression and depression.
For example, exposure to lead in the environment and subsequent lead
ingestion has been linked to antisocial behaviors (Siegel et. al, 2007).
1.1 Hormonal Levels
Another area of biochemical
research emphasizes that antisocial
behavior allegedly peaks in
Research also suggests that increased levels of the male androgen
testosterone are responsible for excessive levels of violence among teenage
boys.
2. Neurological Dysfunction
Another concentration of biosocial theory is neurological, or brain and
nervous system, structure of offenders. Studies measure indicators of system
functioning, such as brain waves, heart
rate, arousal levels, skin conductance and attention span, cognitive
ability, and spatial learning, and then compared them to measures of antisocial
behavior. The neuroendocrine system, which controls the brain chemistry, is the
key to understanding violence and aggression. Imbalance in the central nervous
system’s chemical and hormonal activity has been linked to antisocial behavior
and drug abuse (Siegel et. al, 2007). Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds
that influence brain activity. Research suggests that abnormal levels of some
neurotransmitters – including dopamine, serotonin, and monoamine oxidase – are
related to aggression and violence. For example, people with a history of
impulsive violence often have a reduction in the function of the serotonin
system (Badaway, 2003).
2.1 Minimal
Brain Dysfunction
It is defined as the damage to the brain itself that causes antisocial
behavior injurious to the individual’s lifestyle and social adjustment.
Children who manifest behavior disturbances may have identifiable neurological
deficits, such as damage to the hemispheres of the brain. One specific type of
MBD is Learning Disability, a term that has been defined by the National
Advisory Committee on Handicapped Children. Learning disability is a
neurological dysfunction that prevents an individual from learning to his or
her potential (Siegel et. al, 2007).
3. Genetic Influences
Focuses on the idea that individuals who share genes are alike in
personality regardless of how they are reared, whereas the rearing environment
induces little or no personality resemblance. The Father of Criminology Cesare
Lombroso often believed that antisocial behavior had a genetic basis based on
his theory that some people are “born criminals.” Some biosocial theorists, for
example, stated that certain violent personality traits – including psychopathy
– may be inherited (Carey and DiLalla, 1994).
3.1 Parent-Child Similarities
A number of studies found out that parental criminality and deviance do,
in fact, powerfully influence delinquent behavior. Donald J. West and David P.
Farrington made a study and they found out that a significant number of
delinquent youths have criminal fathers. West and Farrington’s study has been
supported by Rochester Youth Development Study. The latter found an
intergenerational continuity in anti-social behavior: Criminal fathers produce
delinquent sons who grow up to have delinquent children themselves (Siegel et.
al, 2007).
3.2 Sibling
and Twin Similarities
Biosocial theorists have compared the behavior of twins and non-twin siblings and found out that the twins, who share more genetic material, are also more similar in their behavior. When comparing identical monozygotic (MZ) twins with same-sex fraternal dizygotic (DZ) twins; although the former have an identical genetic makeup, the latter share only about 50% of their genetic combinations. Reviews of twin studies found that in all cases, MZ twins have delinquent and antisocial behavior patterns more similar than that of DZ twins (Siegel et. al, 2007).
3.3 Adoption Studies
Sarnoff Mednick and Bernard Hutchings were forced to conclude based on their study that genetics played at least some role in creating delinquent tendencies. Adoptees share many of the behavioural and intellectual characteristics of their biological parents despite the social and environmental conditions found in their adoptive homes (Siegel et. al, 2007).
Q1. Is biosocial theory the same with biological theory?
Answer: No, it is not. Biosocial speaks
of the combination of both genes and the environment as one of the causes of
crime while biological theory speaks only on the internal forces which force
the person to commit crime.
Q2. If the parents are criminal, does it also follow that the children will become criminal?
Answer: If the genes of
the parents are dominant then there is a big possibility that the children will
inherit the genes of their parents.
Q3. Who side has the greatest factor for
the child to inherit one’s genes? Is it from the father or the
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