Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this module, you
should be able to:
1. rephrase the concept of nature theory; and
2. rate the concept of nature theory.
NATURE THEORY
Nature theory holds that low
intelligence is genetically determined and inherited. This was supported by
Henry Goddard in his studies in 1920 that many institutionalized people were
what he considered “feebleminded”
and concluded that at least half of all juvenile delinquents were mentally
defective. In similar vein, William
Healy and Augusta Bronner tested a group of delinquents in Chicago and
Boston and they found that 37 percent were subnormal in intelligence. Bronner
and Healy concluded that delinquent boys were 5 to 10 times more likely to be
mentally deficient than delinquent boys. Thus, many criminologists agreed with
the predisposition of substandard individuals toward delinquency (Siegel et al,
2007).
INTELLIGENCE
AND CRIME
While it is acknowledged that a range of personal and environmental
factors are likely to influence offending behaviour (e.g. gender, age, peer
support, poverty, education, ethnicity, low
impulse control, empathy, psychological well-being, personality, etc.),
the link between low levels of IQ and
criminal involvement continues to receive considerable attention (Diaz,
Belena, & Baguena, 1994; Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004). In fact, a
meta-analysis of research examining the influence of cognitive and affective
empathy to offending behaviour found that the relationship between low empathy
and offending disappeared after controlling for intelligence and socio-economic
status (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004). This is not to disregard the concept
of empathy, but rather, the ability to understand another person's emotions may
be a primary function of intelligence, which ultimately also
Indeed, Dr. Henry Goddard,
after his long study of feeblemindedness, reached the conclusion that every
mentally deficient individual is a potential criminal, and further, that 40% of
families manifesting feeblemindedness show criminality and that sex delinquency
in such families is practically the rule. Additionally, it has been proposed
that lower IQ (especially poor
verbal ability) restricts the probability of academic success at school and
this failure in academic achievement increases the likelihood of delinquent
acts (Diaz et al., 1994).
A body of research has also demonstrated that individuals with lower IQ levels
are more likely to commit more severe (and violent) offences (Crocker &
Hodgins, 1997; Hayes & McIIwain, 1988;
Martell, 1991). Additionally, evidence exists which demonstrates that
criminal offenders have lower IQs than non-offenders (Feldman, 1993; Herrnstein
& Murray, 1994; Wilson & Herrnstein, 1985). In fact, a large body of
early research found clear links between lower intelligence and criminal
behaviour (Hirschi & Hindelang,
1977; McGarvey, Gabrielli, Bentler, & Mednick, 1981; Culberton et al., 1989).
Furthermore, research has provided preliminary evidence that individuals
who are incarcerated are also more likely to suffer from alexithymia, otherwise known as a diminished ability to identify
and/or communicate feelings (Kroner & Forth, 1995).
In an effort to elucidate the complex relationship between IQ and criminal activity, researchers have also attempted to categorize offenders into subgroups. Two large scale studies provided indication that the offense of murder is disproportionately over-represented among inmates with an intellectual disability (Hayes & McIIwain, 1988; Jones & Coombes, 1990). These researchers have also suggested that those with an intellectual disability are more likely to commit other types of offences, including against property and person such as assault, arson and theft-related offences. In contrast, offences that require a higher level of sophistication (e.g. drugs, false pretenses) are less likely to be committed (Hayes & McIIwain, 1988; Jones & Coombes, 1990).
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Q1. Can only low intelligence be passed by the mother to her siblings?
Answer: What the mother can pass to her siblings is intelligence whether high or low.
Q2.
What is the difference between crime and delinquency?
Answer: Crime is an act that violates
the law; it is usually committed by adults while delinquency is the illegal
participation by a minor of an offense which falls under the statutory age
limit. Example: cutting classes; cheating in class
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