Sociobiology is the study of how biology affects behavior, with specific focus on how human nature is affected by genetic composition of a group of people sharing specific characteristics. Sociobiologists would explain criminals by citing how biological factors such as their gender, or predisposition to mental illness, affects the possibility of a person committing a crime. What are some of the constitutional factors that this lesson identifies as linked to criminality? Genetics, gender, age, intelligence, body shape and moral development. What are the social policy implications of biological theories of crime?
Learning theory: how did the murderous behavior develop? Was the perpetrator taught to murder? Did the method by which he committed the murders develop/change over time (become more refined, better planned or possibly less carefully executed due to increase in confidence)? Sociology * Location of crime (is this important?) * Does the perpetrator’s social network encourage his behavior?
Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Beth D. Komish CJS/200 April 6, 2012 Monty Mathis Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Depending on where you grew up and how your parents brought you up, you could start hanging out with the wrong people and they could get you in to a lot of trouble. I believe that crime just does not happen I believe this is in the genes somehow or maybe there is too much violence on television. There are so many different types of crimes, robberies, rape, killing each other and drive-by-shootings and so many to name. The choice theories of crime affect society by, the entertainment industry and the media, the rap singers are singing about different way to rob, kill, sell and do drugs to kids that
For example, a murderer being studied at a local prison could have a psychological disorder, which causes them to interpret the world around them differently, but it also be because of an genetically inherited disease that runs in the family. The criminal could think and behave like a murderer because he could come from an abusive background, which leads to his upbringing having an effect on his brain. However, he could also have been born with a gene that runs in the family, something that determines the personality of that person, which could lead them to committing the
Government intervention into the media is a hot topic these days, filled with controversy and blame. Every group is pointing the finger at another group. Parents are blaming the government for not helping, government is blaming the media for not censoring material, and others are blaming the parents for not censoring and protecting their children. Our society is getting nowhere. there is no solid proof that the media causes violence, and although parents do a lot to help and protect their children, there are still some steps that can be taken to protect their children against violent and sexual material.
There have been several sociological and criminological theories that stress that most violent criminals are impulsive and have a lack of empathy for others. Within Psychological there are several sub theories such as Behavioral Theories, Personality Theories, and Cognitive Theories just to name a few. In Volume 5, Chapter 2 of Review of the Roots of Youth Violence, it states that Sigmund Freud “thought that human behavior, including violent behavior, was the product of “unconscious” forces operating within a person’s mind. Freud also felt that early childhood experiences had a profound impact on adolescent and adult behavior” A lot of Freud’s research is what a lot of the ideas and theories we know today are based off of. Behavioral Theories Behaviorist John Watson once said "Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might
Another factor was their classification by others as being “Goth” or “outcast nerds”. Being harassed by classmates as well as being put down by their teachers can lead a student to be depressed, but should never lead to a full fledged massacre. Another major factor considered to be influencing these boys were video games. The boys had been diagnosed with mental disabilities and the police, family members, and others felt their game playing contributed to their actions. They say the games became to life like for the boys to handle which lead to the homicidal thoughts and in the long run the massacre itself.
It’s evident the two boys grew up to be violent people. Dr. Peter Fonagy, a child development expert, explains, “A child exposed to abuse has a higher chance to become a criminal because his or her childhood has mental scars of what they went through.” Fonagy also mentions, “Children are like sponges; they absorb everything they see, and as adults unintentionally repeat and look for what they lived through”. Tommy and John are great examples of this because they repeatedly suffered from rape as well as brutal beatings. As a result, under their circumstances fighting back seemed like the only way to defend themselves. Aggression, what both characters were affected by, is a horrible habit that can easily be prevented with proper help.
When looking at Ted Bundy, it’s obvious that his personality might have played a big part in his crimes. As a result of his unstable home environment, Bundy displayed over-attachment problems, which will also be discussed later on. In addition, he displayed aggression from a young age and a lack of caring about other people. If personality is determined by genes such as the study done in Finland claims, then would a child who was naturally optimistic and empathetic have ended up a serial killer had they been in Bundy’s home situation? It’s impossible to tell.
Or if it is the parent’s responsibility to regulate what teens watch? And how about the rating system, Is it really effective? If limitations are imposed on this industry, would this violate their freedom of speech? When a teens watch a movie like Clock Orange or play a game like Grand Theft Auto does it affect their behavior or will they brush it off as a mere fantasy? Many people outside of the industry believe it affects teen’s sexual activities and violence tendencies.