Study Notes on Biology and Crime

Overview of the lecture topic: the intersection of biology and criminal behavior.

Reputation of the Biological Approach
- Early biological research on criminology has a poor reputation due to methodological flaws.
- This early research is now often regarded as pseudoscience—appearing scientific but lacking rigor.
Key Figures and Theories
- Cesare Lombroso:
- Considered the father of criminology.
- Proposed the born criminal theory in the late 19th century.
- Claimed criminals are born, based on autopsies of criminal cadavers compared to non-criminals.
- Characterized criminals as evolutionary throwbacks, lacking traits needed to function in modern society:
  - More aggressive and animal-like.
  - Absent moral understanding of right and wrong.
- Phrenology:
- Developed by Franz Joseph Gall around 1800.
- Suggested personality traits could be discerned from the bumps on the skull.

Modern criminologists do not take Lombroso's theories seriously due to numerous methodological problems.
Recognition that early biological explanations failed to make valid connections between biological traits and criminal behavior.

Current focus on biological predisposition rather than determinism in criminal behavior, specifically regarding violent behavior.
- Predispositions may result from genetics or exposure to harmful substances in utero, but do not directly cause crime.
Example Research:
- Investigations into the MAOA gene (referred to as the warrior gene).
- A proportion of the population (approximately 1/3) has an underperforming MAOA gene variant.
- Underperformance alone does not correlate strongly with violent behavior.
- Increased risk is observed in individuals with an underperforming MAOA gene who also experienced adverse environments (e.g., neglect, abuse).

Predisposition:
- Defined as a genetic or biological tendency to react or behave in a certain way.
Adverse Environment:
- Describes conditions that negatively impact development, leading to increased risk of engaging in violent behavior.
Factors Discussed in Textbook:
- Neurotoxins: Exposure to substances during pregnancy, such as:
- Alcohol (leading to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FAS).
- Tobacco.
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury).
- Pesticides.
- Maternal behavior impacting fetal brain development.
Early childhood experiences (neglect, abuse) compound biological predispositions and increase likelihood of violence.

Explanation of brain plasticity:
- Brain development is malleable; shaped by social and environmental interactions.
- Significant changes occur in brain structure during the early years of life, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to toxins and negative environments.
- Brain development continues beyond early adulthood, contrary to past beliefs.

Notable example illustrating the interaction of biological predispositions and adverse social environments.
Background Information:
- Committed severe crimes (sexual assault and murder) at age 15-16.
- Exhibited a low IQ (approximately 70), implying significant cognitive limitations (96-97% of population scores higher on IQ tests).
- Likely suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, alongside adverse life experiences including:
- Early abandonment by a father.
- Physical and sexual abuse during childhood (e.g., torture by mother’s partners).
Incident of Crime:
- Attack occurred after being notified of his mother’s gambling losses during her bingo game—indicating an environmental trigger.
Aftermath:
- In prison, Adam engages in self-harm, indicating ongoing psychological distress and aggression linked to both biological and environmental factors.

Suggests that both biological predispositions and negative social environments interact to elevate the risk of violent behavior.
Emphasis on continuing exploration of the biological perspective in crime in future lectures.