ABNORMAL HUMAN TRAITS as opposed to Choice or S ocial S tructure theory Trait Theory Trait Theory is divided into 2 sections 1 Stresses BIOLOGICAL makeup 2 Stresses PSYCHOLOGICAL functioning ID: 643208
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Slide1
Trait Theory
Criminality is a matter of
ABNORMAL HUMAN TRAITS
as opposed
to Choice or
S
ocial
S
tructure theory.Slide2
Trait Theory
Trait Theory is divided into 2 sections.
1. Stresses BIOLOGICAL makeup.
2. Stresses PSYCHOLOGICAL functioning.Slide3
Trait Theory
SOCIOBIOLOGY
Human behavior is motivated by INBORN biological urges to survive and keep the species going.Slide4
Trait Theory
SOCIOBIOLOGISTS believe:
HUMAN BIOLOGY works with ENVIROMENTAL and LEARNING FACTORS to create criminal traits.
(This is why not all people from poor urban neighborhoods with bad schools are criminal)Slide5
Trait Theory
CONTEMPORARY Trait theorists believe:
That there are MANY biological and psychological attributes contributing to criminality.
EX.
Neurological Problems
Inherited tendencies
Blood chemistry disordersSlide6
Trait Theory
EQUIPOTENIALITY
View that ALL humans are born
with EQUAL potential to learn &
achieve.Slide7
Trait Theory
Because EQUIPOTENTIALITY does NOT exist:
The combination of physical traits & the environment can produce CRIMINALITY.Slide8
Trait Theory
TRAIT THEORISTS believe if the following factors are combined CRIMINALITY is more probable:
Defective Intelligence
Impulsive Personality
Abnormal Brain Chemistry
Family Life
Education
Socioeconomic conditions & neighborhoodsSlide9
Trait Theory
BIOLOGICAL TRAIT THEORISTS
Focus on the BIOLOGICAL conditions that control human behavior.Slide10
Trait Theory
Some believe that GENETICS,
DIET & the ENVIRONMENT
all influence SOCIAL
BEHAVIOR.Slide11
Trait Theory
The TWINKIE DEFENSE (1979)
Dan White was found guilty of a lesser crime after killing Mayor George Moscone & City Councilman Harvey Milk due to his addiction to Junk food.Slide12
Trait Theory
Bio Chemical factors that have been linked to crime include:
Diet
Hypoglycemia (Low Glucose levels in the blood)
Hormones Slide13
Trait Theory
Androgen's
– Male sex hormones
(
Abnormal
androgen levels are linked
to aggressive behavior)
Testosterone – The most abundant androgen is linked to criminality.Slide14
Trait Theory
Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Still unclear if PMS is linked to crime.Slide15
Trait Theory
Environmental Contaminants
Lead has been linked to criminality.
Debora Denno (1993)
Study of 500 African American youth with lead poisoning linked to delinquency.Slide16
Trait Theory
Neurophysiology
Study of BRAIN activity.
Children who suffer neurological deficits at birth or adolescence become antisocial later in life.Slide17
Trait Theory
ASPERGERS DISORDER
A neurological impairment which affects communication, social skills & learning.
J. Arturo Silva (2002) – linked to serial killersSlide18
Trait Theory
Violent offenders, substance abusers,
domestic violence offenders, habitual
liars, all have been linked to BRAIN
FUNCTIONS.Slide19
Trait Theory
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Higher rates of:
Drug use
Arrests
School problems
Anti Social activitySlide20
Trait Theory
ADHD Cont.
Many with ADHD also are diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder.
Aggressive behavior
Defiant
Anti Social