chapter 2 notes

Case Study: Bob's Behavior

• Bob's Background

  • Recently released from prison after a five-year sentence.

  • History of fights, break and enters, and excessive drinking.

  • Psychological report: Abuse as a child, impulsive, anger management issues.

• Gene Factor

  • Participated in a prison research study showing low activity MAOA gene.

• Incident Post-Release

  • Went to a bar, intoxicated, feels threatened when another man hits on his new friend.

  • Tells the man to back off in a threatening manner.

  • Provoked to violence by insults from the man and throws the first punch.

  • Resulted in his re-incarceration for breaching release conditions and new assault charge.

Learning Objectives

• Biological Explanations of Crime

  • Genetics, neurochemistry, hormones, and psychophysiology involved in criminal behavior.

• Principles of Evolutionary Psychology

  • Understanding crime through evolutionary principles and adaptations.

• Biology and Environment Interaction

  • Emphasis that biological theories are interlinked with environmental factors.

• Complementarity of Theories

  • Biological/evolutionary theories can coexist with traditional theories like social learning theory.

Perspectives on Bob's Behavior

• Multiple explanations for behavior:

  • Immediate factors: alcohol-induced disinhibition or learned behavior from childhood.

  • Innate factors: genetic predisposition.

  • Evolutionary perspective: behavior may be adapted from ancestral survival strategies (e.g. defending honor).

Historical Context

• Cesare Lombroso

  • Father of criminology, saw criminals as evolutionary throwbacks with distinct physical features.

• Darwin's Influence

  • His theory of evolution and natural selection led to misconceptions in criminology, such as eugenics.

• Shift in Perspectives

  • Growing acceptance of biological perspectives in criminology and the complexity of human behavior.

Crime Definition and Complexity

• Defining Crime

  • Complex process influenced by biology, culture, and social norms.

  • Researchers adopt various methodologies and participant pools for understanding antisocial behavior.

Importance of Theory in Research

• Theories help organize findings and translate to societal benefits.

• Defining Features of Strong Theories:

  1. Parsimonious.

  2. Identifies causal mechanisms.

  3. Testable and falsifiable.

  4. Based on empirical data.

  5. Interdisciplinary compatibility.

  6. Respects social factors like gender and ethnicity.

Methodology for Biological Research

• Methods used in studying biological explanations include:

  • Twin studies and control comparisons between criminal and non-criminal genetic samples.

  • Investigations into neurotransmitter functions, brain imaging, and biological impacts of diet.

Key Biological Theories of Crime

• Genetics: Heritability of antisocial behavior evaluated through twin and adoption studies.

• Neurochemistry: Neurotransmitters like serotonin linked to aggression and criminal behavior.

• Hormones: Evidence suggests hormonal imbalances, particularly testosterone, relate to aggression levels.

Psychophysiology and Crime

• Explores the relationship of physiological responses (heart rate, electrodermal activity) to antisocial behavior.

• Individuals showing low autonomic arousal may engage more in antisocial actions (fearlessness vs simulation-seeking theories).

Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology

• Studies connecting brain function/structure to antisocial behavior highlight impairments in emotional processing and impulse control.

Additional Biological Considerations

• Factors like pregnancy complications, toxins, and diet impact predispositions to antisocial behavior, emphasizing the interplay between biology and environment.

Evolutionary Theories of Crime

• Evolutionary psychology explains human violence and crime as adaptations to historical survival pressures.

• Life History Theory: Examines how ancestral environmental selection pressures influence current behavior.

• Psychopathy and Frequency Dependent Selection: Suggests that psychopathic traits might be adaptive for reproductive success in specific contexts.

Conclusions from Chapter

• Biological and evolutionary links to crime emphasize multi-faceted causality involving both genetic and environmental factors.

• Importance of integrating biological theories with traditional social theories to enhance understanding of criminal behavior.

Case Study: Detailed Examination of Bob's Behavior

Bob's Background

• Recent History: Bob has recently been released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for multiple offenses that include fistfights, break and enter incidents, and a pattern of excessive drinking.

• Psychological Insight: A psychological evaluation indicated a troubling upbringing marked by childhood abuse, leading to impulsive behavior and difficulties in managing anger. Bob's psychological state raises concerns about his ability to cope with stress and conflict in healthy ways.

Gene Factor

• Genetic Studies: During his imprisonment, Bob participated in a pioneering research study focused on genetic markers related to criminal behavior. Results showed a low activity level of the MAOA gene, often referred to as the "warrior gene," which has been linked to aggressive behaviors in certain individuals.

Incident Post-Release

• Background Context: After his release, Bob sought to reintegrate into society, struggling with the remnants of his previous behavior patterns. He visited a bar where alcohol consumption escalated his emotional state.

• Provoking Event: Bob felt physically threatened when another male patron attempted to flirt with his new female friend. This situation triggered a defensive response.

• Escalation to Violence: After warning the man in a threatening tone to back off, verbal insults exchanged triggered Bob’s violent tendencies. He threw the first punch, resulting in serious consequences that led to his re-arrest for breaching the conditions of his parole and a new assault charge. This incident illustrates the volatility of Bob's behavior under emotional stress and intoxication.

Learning Objectives

• Biological Explanations of Crime: Gain an understanding of how genetic predispositions, neurochemistry, hormonal influences, and psychophysiological factors interrelate to contribute to criminal behaviors.

• Principles of Evolutionary Psychology: Analyze crime through the lens of evolutionary principles, including the idea that certain aggressive behaviors may have served adaptive functions in our ancestral past.

• Interaction of Biology and Environment: Emphasize that biological factors do not operate in a vacuum; they interact with environmental influences, shaping behavioral outcomes.

• Complementing Traditional Theories: Acknowledge the value of traditional theories, like social learning theory, and how they can coexist with biological and evolutionary explanations.

Perspectives on Bob's Behavior

• Immediate Factors: Examine the role of alcohol-induced disinhibition—a state where intoxication diminishes self-control and increases the likelihood of aggressive responses.

• Innate Factors: Consider Bob's genetic predisposition indicated by his MAOA gene status as a potential underlying cause of his aggressive behavior.

• Evolutionary Perspective: Explore the hypothesis that Bob’s reaction to perceived threats could be an instinctual behavior rooted in ancestral strategies for defending one’s social status and honor.

Historical Context

• Cesare Lombroso: A foundational figure in criminology who theorized that criminals exhibited distinct physical traits, suggesting a biological basis for crime.

• Darwin’s Influence: Understand how Darwin’s theories of evolution and natural selection were misinterpreted in earlier criminological theories, contributing to harmful practices such as eugenics.

• Shift in Perspectives: Note the increasing recognition and integration of biological considerations into criminology, moving toward a nuanced understanding of criminal behavior.

Crime Definition and Complexity

• Defining Crime: Discuss the complexities involved in defining crime, recognizing that it is influenced by biological, cultural, and social norms.

• Research Methodologies: Highlight the diverse methodologies employed by researchers in studying antisocial behavior, from qualitative interviews to quantitative genetic assessments.

Importance of Theory in Research

• Theory in Research: Theories play a crucial role in organizing research findings and translating them into actionable societal interventions.

• Defining Features of Strong Theories:

  • Parsimonious: Theories should aim for simplicity while explaining a wide range of phenomena.

  • Causal Mechanism Identification: Effective theories articulate specific causal processes.

  • Testability and Falsifiability: Strong theories can be empirically tested and potentially disproven.

  • Empirical Data: Theories should be grounded in empirical research findings.

  • Interdisciplinary Compatibility: Comprehensive theories should align with various fields such as psychology, sociology, and biology.

  • Respect for Social Factors: Theories should account for diverse social factors, including gender and ethnicity influences.

Methodology for Biological Research

• Research Methods: Biological explanations leverage several research techniques, including:

  • Twin Studies: Exploring the heritability of antisocial behaviors by comparing identical and fraternal twins.

  • Neurotransmitter Research: Investigating the role of neurotransmitters in behavior, such as serotonin's association with aggression.

  • Brain Imaging: Utilizing technologies like MRI scans to examine structural and functional brain correlates of antisocial behavior.

  • Dietary Impact Studies: Assessing how dietary factors influence brain chemistry and behavioral predispositions.

Key Biological Theories of Crime

• Genetics: Delve into how heritability of traits contributes to antisocial behavior as shown through twin and adoption studies.

• Neurochemistry: Analyzing the connection between neurotransmitter levels and levels of aggression, particularly focusing on serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline's roles.

• Hormones: Examining how hormonal fluctuations, particularly testosterone levels, can influence aggression and criminal actions.

Psychophysiology and Crime

• Physiological Responses: Investigate how individuals' physiological states, as measured by heart rate and skin conductivity, may correlate with tendencies for antisocial behavior.

• Autonomic Arousal: Discuss findings that individuals with low autonomic arousal may exhibit increased propensity for antisocial actions, leading to theories of fearlessness versus stimulation-seeking behaviors.

Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology

• Brain Function and Structure: Explore studies connecting specific brain impairments or dysfunctions to antisocial behaviors, primarily focusing on emotional processing capabilities and impulse control deficiencies.

Additional Biological Considerations

• Environmental Interactions: Discuss factors such as pregnancy complications, exposure to toxins, and nutritional factors that can influence predispositions toward antisocial behavior, emphasizing the critical interplay between biological and environmental factors.

Evolutionary Theories of Crime

• Human Violence as Adaptation: Evolutionary psychology posits that violence and crime may arise from adaptations to historical survival challenges faced by our ancestors.

• Life History Theory: Investigate how ancestral environmental pressures shape contemporary behavioral patterns and choices.

• Psychopathy and Reproductive Success: Explore theories suggesting that psychopathic traits may confer reproductive advantages in certain environments, impacting social dynamics.

Conclusions from Chapter

• Multi-Faceted Causation: Conclude that criminal behavior stems from complex interactions between biological predispositions and environmental influences, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches in understanding crime.

• Integration of Theories: Stress the importance of merging biological and traditional social theories to achieve a fuller understanding of criminal behavior and develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.