NCJ Number
169929
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1998) Pages: 1-19
Date Published
1998
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Changes in the taboo image of biological perspectives in criminology were examined by means of an analysis of 55 introductory criminology textbooks, including 20 published between 1961 and 1970 and 35 published between 1987 and 1996.
Abstract
Throughout most of the 20th century in the United States, biological arguments that link biochemistry, genetics, neurophysiology, or some combination have been unthinkable and unmentionable. However, the results of this analysis revealed that the taboo surrounding biocriminology appears to be diminishing in textbooks. Newer texts devoted more coverage to biological perspectives than did older textbooks. They were also more likely to claim that at least some empirical evidence supports these arguments. In addition, criminology textbooks based on interdisciplinary orientations were less likely to depict biological arguments as taboo than were those that endorsed sociological orientations, especially critical sociological orientations. Tables, notes, list of textbooks examined, and 118 references (Author abstract modified)