Assigned Reading #6

Sociology 225 

Winter, 2025 

February 24 

Assigned Reading #6 

A.  Textbook Chapter Readings: Chapter 6 

1. What two lines of inquiry have attempted to clarify the relationship between biological and environmental factors? (Section 6.2) 

• twins (identical and fraternal) adoption  

2.  Explain the history of and relationship between intelligence and criminal behaviour. (Section 6.3) 

The link between intelligence and crime has changed overtime. Early studies suggested that lower IQs led to more crime, but later research showed that factors like socio-economic status and parenting quality are also important, making the relationship more complex.  

2. What does research on youth offending and diet and nutrition suggest? (Section 6.4) 

• Research suggests that diet and nutrition significantly influence youth offending, with deficiencies in key nutrients linked to aggressive behaviour and mental health issues. Nutritional interventions could help in managing antisocial behaviour among young people  

4.  What is the life course theory (LCT) and what does it say about criminality? (Section 6.5) 

- LCT: is an integrated theory that looks at factors that lead people to commit crimes and how their criminal behavior changes throughout their life. 

B.  Document Reading 

Obtain the following article through the online library (article in PDF is also provided in eclass):  

Cole, S. A., & Campbell, M. C. (2013). From subhumans to superhumans: Criminals in the evolutionary hierarchy, or what became of Lombroso’s atavistic criminals?. In The Cesare Lombroso Handbook (pp. 159-182). Routledge. 

Answer the following questions:  

1. What is biological determinism?  (147) 

Biological determinism is the belief that people's behavior, including criminal behavior, is shaped by their biological traits, such as genetics or physical characteristics. 

Note: Cesare Lombroso, a criminologist, is famous for suggesting that criminals could be identified by certain physical features, and he believed some people were "born criminals." His ideas sparked debates about the role of biology in crime, but after World War II, these theories became less accepted due to their connection to eugenics. 

2. How do the authors define biosocial criminology? (149) 

Biosocial criminology is defined as a field within criminology that explains criminal behavior through genetic and evolutionary factors. 

Note: This term is used specifically to describe criminologists who focus on how biological factors, such as genetics, influence crime. It is distinct from "contemporary biocriminology," which refers to a broader range of research across various disciplines that looks at all biological explanations for criminal behavior. Despite its recent growth, biosocial criminology remains a marginalized area in criminology, partly due to ideological resistance stemming from past associations with eugenics and fears of racism or fascism linked to biological theories of crime. 

3. Why, according to the authors, has biosocial criminology been marginalized within the discipline of criminology? (149-150). 

Biosocial criminology has been pushed to the side in criminology because of resistance linked to the negative history of eugenics, racism, and fascism in biological crime theories. This bias leads to unfair interpretations of evidence, making it hard for biosocial criminologists to be accepted in the field. 

4.  What are the similarities and differences between Lombrosian biocriminology and contemporary biosocial criminology? (150-155) 

Lombrosian biocriminology and modern biosocial criminology both suggest biology affects criminal behavior, but Lombroso focused on physical traits, while today’s approach looks at genetics and brain scans. Modern criminology also considers how biology and environment work together, unlike Lombroso’s fixed ideas. 

5.  During Lombroso's time, his adversaries criticized his position on atavism.  What was their alternative theory? (157) 

Lombroso's critics proposed the theory of degeneration, which suggested that criminals don't just have primitive traits (characteristics of earlier stages of human evolution) but have regressed to a lower evolutionary state, unlike atavism where criminals were seen as born into that state. 

6.   According to the authors, over the last century (between Lombroso theories and contemporary biosocial theories), the place of the criminal in the 'evolutionary hierarchy' has flipped.  What do they mean? (157-163) 

The authors argue that over the past century, the view of criminals has shifted from being seen as primitive and less evolved (as in Lombroso's theory) to being considered more evolved and adaptive in modern, complex societies (as in biosocial criminology). In this new perspective, criminals are viewed as highly adapted individuals who thrive in urbanized environments. 

·  Lombroso's Theory (19th Century): 

• Criminals are seen as "born criminals" with primitive traits. 

• Criminal behavior is linked to biological and physical characteristics (e.g., facial features, skull shapes). 

• These traits were believed to indicate a less evolved, more savage nature. 

·  Contemporary Biosocial Criminology (Modern): 

• Criminal behavior is seen as influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. 

• Focuses on how an individual's biology interacts with social conditions, such as urbanization. 

• Criminals are viewed as highly adapted individuals thriving in complex, urban environments. 

7.   How do the authors explain the flipping of the evolutionary hierarchy in biological  criminology? (165-166) 

The authors explain the flipping of the evolutionary hierarchy in biosocial criminology by saying it shows a shift from believing society improves over time to seeing it as a harsh environment where criminals are better suited to survive. This reflects concerns about the rise of self-centered behavior in a neoliberal society.