NCJ Number
101431
Date Published
1985
Length
60 pages
Annotation
Using an interactive approach that also considers environmental factors, this paper examines behavioral biological factors that may serve as dispositions toward criminality and that may aid in identifying high-risk individuals.
Abstract
During physical maturation, three biological factors have been identified as possible contributors to delinquency and crime. Genetic factors may influence such complex behaviors as impulse control, empathy, and aggressiveness. Maternal stress, malnutrition, and drug exposure during the prenatal period also have been linked to later behavior problems and delinquency. In addition, central nervous system dysfunction, neuropsychiatric disorder, and other medical difficulties during childhood may contribute to later deviance. Research with adult criminals has found a link between endocrinological factors, such as elevated testosterone levels, and aggression. Other studies have found EEG abnormalities, and psychophysiological evidence (e.g., galvanic skin response, pulse, heart rate) of reduced autonomic nervous system arousal has been found in some criminal populations. Overall, data point to weak correlations between a wide array of biological factors and behaviors in some criminal and delinquent populations. Because of methodological problems, conclusions about such links must remain tentative and application of results to identifying at-risk individuals for intervention requires a number of questionable extrapolations. Further research into these links and the effectiveness of preventive efforts is needed. 122 references.