Physiological Theories of Criminal Behaviour

Forensic Psychology – Biological Explanations for Offending

In this course, Professor Ciarán O’Keeffe (Buckinghamshire New University) explores biological explanations for offending. In the first lecture, we think about the concept of ‘making a criminal’ and the transition from philosophical to scientific methodologies. In the second lecture, we think about biological strategies for preventing criminal behaviour, including nutritional interventions and facial surgery for criminals. In the third lecture, we think about the Raine et al. (1997) study, which identified brain areas linked to violence and aggression. Next, we think about the Haney et al. (1973) study, also known as the Stanford Prison Experiment, run by Philip Zimbardo. In the fifth lecture, we think about how brain injury can influence violence and aggression, as well as the ability for brain injury research to inform our understanding of this field. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about XYY syndrome and the mixed results research on it have found regarding its impact on violence, aggression and criminal behaviour.

Physiological Theories of Criminal Behaviour

In this lecture, we think about the concept of ‘making a criminal’, focusing in particular on: (i) the transition from the philosophical considerations of criminal behaviour and tendencies, to a more scientific approach, as promoted by Cesare Lombroso; (ii) Lombroso’s atavistic form theory, which proposed that there were physical features, indicative of underdevelopment, which were attributed with committing crime; (iii) an evaluation of Lombroso’s research being that it is unfounded in our modern understanding of genetics and behaviour, but that it did serve to shift the focus of research into criminal behaviour from a philosophical basis to an empirical one; (iv) Sheldon’s 1949 somatotyping theory, which proposed that mesomorphs (muscular physical form) were more prone to criminal activity; (v) alternative explanations for the correlation between the mesomorphic body type and criminal behaviour.