Genetic and Neural Explanations Essay
‘Harry was born a criminal’
Discuss this statement with reference to two biological explanations of offending behaviour
(16 marks)
Biological explanations for offending take into account an individual’s biology to justify their
criminal behaviour. Firstly, genetic explanations suggest that crime is a result of inherited
genes or unusual combinations of genes that predispose someone to commit a crime.
Tiihonen suggested that 2 genes (MAOA and CDH13) may be associated with crime. MAOA
has been linked to serotonin and excessive violence, whereas CDH13 is linked to substance
abuse. It was found that about 5%-10% of all severe crime in Finland is attributable to the
MAOA and CDH13 gene. Indicating that candidate genes may be responsible for criminal
acts and attitudes. This specific explanation may lend itself to Harry’s situation, as he may be
a carrier of the MAOA gene as it is inherited, due to the fact that it was stated that he was
born a criminal. Furthermore, Caspi et al. assessed antisocial behaviour and found that at the
age of 26 - 12% of those men with low MAOA genes had experienced maltreatment when
they were babies but were responsible for 44% of violent convictions. This longitudinal study
alludes itself to the Diathesis-stress model, as it is referring to the idea that a trait will show in
an individual is there is an internal vulnerability and a triggering external factor, such as
childhood maltreatment. It can be assumed by this that Harry’s environment may have had a
role into his criminal behaviour – maybe he was not born a criminal but had an innate
vulnerability that was triggered during childhood.
One limitation of this genetic explanation to explain offending behaviour is that it can be
classified as biologically deterministic. This explanation states that an individual’s biology
determines their future due to the genes they may have inherited. Suggesting that a person’s
behaviour is inevitable, although this is merely impossible to test. However, Caspi et al.
conducted a study that supports the diathesis-stress model, implying that the biological
aspects of offending will only become prevalent if an environmental trigger is present.
Taking an internationalist approach to explaining offending, this may support the genetic
explanation to offending as it takes into account other factors of a person other than purely
their biology.
Furthermore, another limitation of this explanation is its implications with the legal system.
This approach justifies criminal behaviour, suggesting that it is out of the criminals’ control
that they commit crime. This can be seen as an implication with the legality of convictions as
many criminals can blame their biology on their decisions and possibly influence more
people to commit crimes if they perceive this as a ‘get out of jail card’. This ultimately flaws
this explanation to offending as real life implications are a major downfall.
Another way to explain offending behaviour in terms of one’s biology is through taking a
historical approach. Lombroso suggests that there are 3 types of criminal – one being a ‘born
criminal’. Further explaining the ‘atavistic form’ - attributes criminal activity to the fact that
offenders are genetic throwbacks or primitive subspecies. Also implying that criminals are
more likely to be male. With reference to Harry, he is a male and the idea that he is ‘born’ a
criminal may link to the idea that evolutionary issues may lead to criminal tendencies.
‘Harry was born a criminal’
Discuss this statement with reference to two biological explanations of offending behaviour
(16 marks)
Biological explanations for offending take into account an individual’s biology to justify their
criminal behaviour. Firstly, genetic explanations suggest that crime is a result of inherited
genes or unusual combinations of genes that predispose someone to commit a crime.
Tiihonen suggested that 2 genes (MAOA and CDH13) may be associated with crime. MAOA
has been linked to serotonin and excessive violence, whereas CDH13 is linked to substance
abuse. It was found that about 5%-10% of all severe crime in Finland is attributable to the
MAOA and CDH13 gene. Indicating that candidate genes may be responsible for criminal
acts and attitudes. This specific explanation may lend itself to Harry’s situation, as he may be
a carrier of the MAOA gene as it is inherited, due to the fact that it was stated that he was
born a criminal. Furthermore, Caspi et al. assessed antisocial behaviour and found that at the
age of 26 - 12% of those men with low MAOA genes had experienced maltreatment when
they were babies but were responsible for 44% of violent convictions. This longitudinal study
alludes itself to the Diathesis-stress model, as it is referring to the idea that a trait will show in
an individual is there is an internal vulnerability and a triggering external factor, such as
childhood maltreatment. It can be assumed by this that Harry’s environment may have had a
role into his criminal behaviour – maybe he was not born a criminal but had an innate
vulnerability that was triggered during childhood.
One limitation of this genetic explanation to explain offending behaviour is that it can be
classified as biologically deterministic. This explanation states that an individual’s biology
determines their future due to the genes they may have inherited. Suggesting that a person’s
behaviour is inevitable, although this is merely impossible to test. However, Caspi et al.
conducted a study that supports the diathesis-stress model, implying that the biological
aspects of offending will only become prevalent if an environmental trigger is present.
Taking an internationalist approach to explaining offending, this may support the genetic
explanation to offending as it takes into account other factors of a person other than purely
their biology.
Furthermore, another limitation of this explanation is its implications with the legal system.
This approach justifies criminal behaviour, suggesting that it is out of the criminals’ control
that they commit crime. This can be seen as an implication with the legality of convictions as
many criminals can blame their biology on their decisions and possibly influence more
people to commit crimes if they perceive this as a ‘get out of jail card’. This ultimately flaws
this explanation to offending as real life implications are a major downfall.
Another way to explain offending behaviour in terms of one’s biology is through taking a
historical approach. Lombroso suggests that there are 3 types of criminal – one being a ‘born
criminal’. Further explaining the ‘atavistic form’ - attributes criminal activity to the fact that
offenders are genetic throwbacks or primitive subspecies. Also implying that criminals are
more likely to be male. With reference to Harry, he is a male and the idea that he is ‘born’ a
criminal may link to the idea that evolutionary issues may lead to criminal tendencies.
