#17 Nature Theory

 

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 has links with offending (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004). More broadly, research that has aimed to examine the origins of offending behaviour (particularly juvenile delinquency) continues to identify low IQ as a predictor of criminal behaviour (Diaz et al., 1994).

 

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

Q3. Why is nature theory important in criminology?

Answer: It is important in criminology because it discusses the biological/genetic predispositions' impact on human traits

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