biomechanical

Positive Explanations of Crime

Biochemical Causes of Crime

• Focuses on the relationship between biochemical factors, particularly hormonal imbalances, and crime.

Biochemical Explanations of Crime

Early Studies

• Examination of hormonal imbalances in relation to criminal activity.

  • Berman (1938):

  • Comparison of 240 prisoners with a control group of non-prisoners.

  • Findings: Hormonal imbalances were found to be three to four times more common in criminals than in non-criminals.

  • Conclusions:

    • Hormonal imbalances adversely affect brain functions related to thinking and motor control.

    • Increased likelihood of involvement in criminal activities due to these effects.

Later Studies

• Attempts to replicate Berman's findings failed.

  • Key Points:

  • No confirmed direct link between hormonal imbalances and criminality.

  • Hormones have an indirect effect on behavior.

  • Consensus:

  • Generally, hormones are not directly correlated with criminality.

Exceptions

• Certain conditions may show different associations with crime:

  • Premenstrual Tension (PMT)

  • Infanticide

  • Testosterone

  • Adrenalin

Biochemical Explanations of Crime: Testosterone and Aggression

• Claims about the effects of testosterone:

  • The male hormone testosterone negatively impacts the central nervous system, contributing to aggressive behavior.

  • Hormonal imbalances could correlate with crimes that exhibit high levels of interpersonal violence, including murder, rape, and assault.

Monkey Studies

• Research on environmental impacts on testosterone levels and behavior:

  • Environmental changes resulted in altered testosterone levels, influencing behavior.

  • Example:

  • Female monkeys receiving testosterone injections displayed increased aggression and heightened sexual interest.

Human Studies

• Observations on testosterone levels and aggression:

  • No notable relationship between testosterone levels and aggression in most males.

  • Among violent offenders:

  • Testosterone levels had some correlation with aggression and sexual interest.

Dan Olwens (1987)

• Study findings regarding provoked violence:

  • Provocation linked with increased testosterone levels, which correspondingly raised aggressiveness.

  • Higher testosterone during puberty alongside low frustration levels increases chances of unprovoked aggression and violence.

Daisy Schalling (1987)

• Investigation into testosterone levels among young males:

  • High testosterone levels associated with verbal aggression rather than physical aggression.

  • Reactive behavior differences observed:

  • High testosterone boys reacted defensively to threats against their status, engaging in verbal aggression.

  • Low testosterone boys avoided conflict, were silent, and did not seek to protect status.

  • Characteristics of high testosterone boys:

  • Assertive, self-assured, sociable, prone to anger when confronted.

Ellis and Coontz (1990)

• Arguments connecting high testosterone levels with criminality:

  • Statistical claim: Males aged 18-24 are responsible for a majority of crimes, correlating with peak testosterone levels during this age.

  • Support for biological explanations of crime:

  • Early presence of testosterone in foetal development produces three effects related to criminal behavior.

Three Effects of Testosterone

1. Reticular Arousal:

   • Refers to the rate at which stimuli reach the brain; development impacted by the Y-chromosome.

   • People with low reticular arousal seek more stimulation, increasing likelihood of criminal behavior.

2. Limbic System:

   • Controls emotions; issues linked with high testosterone levels.

   • Dysfunctional limbic systems may lead to sudden, extreme emotional responses, connected with epilepsy (more common in men).

3. Brain Hemisphere Dependency:

   • The reliance on the hemisphere associated with the limbic system is linked to criminal behavior.

   • Men demonstrate more reliance than women; more left-handed and ambidextrous males align with this finding.

Conclusion on Criminal Behavior

• Criminal behavior is suggested to be more prevalent among individuals whose brains have been affected by testosterone levels.

High Testosterone and Sexual Crime

• Observations regarding sexual crime:

  • Sexual crimes often committed by men at peak testosterone ages.

  • Study Findings: No significant difference in testosterone levels between rapists and non-rapists.

  • Most violent rapists found to have elevated testosterone.

  • No established causal link has been confirmed yet.

Ethical Implications of Findings

• Historical context of castration practices:

  • Many European nations legalized castration for sex offenders between the 1920s and 1950s; chemical castration later replaced surgical methods.

• Future considerations:

  • Potential implications of confirming links between testosterone and criminality:

  • Questions raised regarding the application of medication to reduce testosterone levels in criminals.

  • Ethical debate on targeting only aggressive criminals or specifically sexual offenders.