BIOSOCIAL LEARNING THEORY AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

• NCJ Number: 40127
• Author(s): C R JEFFERY
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 44 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. REVISION OF PAPER PRESENTED AT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY, NOV 1975, SAN FRANCISCO

Annotation

REVIEW OF CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES WITH FOCUS ON THE EFFECTS OF GENETICS ON CRIME AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEORIES OF BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING THE MENTALISTIC INTROSPECTION, BEHAVIORISM, AND SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY PARADIGMS. THE IMPLICATIONS OF MODERN GENETICS AND PSYCHOBIOLOGY FOR BEHAVIORISM AND LEARNING THEORIES ARE PURSUED. LEARNING THEORIES OF BEHAVIOR SUCH AS 'INTERNALIZATION OF NORMS' GIVE NO MOTIVATIONAL REASONS FOR CONFORMITY OR DEVIANCE. THE AUTHOR THEORIZES THAT THE REINFORCING QUALITY OF A STIMULUS DEPENDS ON THE LIMBIC SYSTEM OF THE BRAIN, WHICH IN TURN DEPENDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON THE GENETIC ENDOWMENT OF THE ORGANISM. GENE INFLUENCE ON BEHAVIOR IS SEEN TO BE PERVASIVE BUT ALWAYS INDIRECT....MSP