Many people just look at a person and think “oh they look like they would be a criminal”. That statement goes so much farther then that. There are many different variables that can contribute to a person becoming a criminal. Many people just scratch the outer layer of why people can become criminals but I am going to go into a little more depth on this topic. There are two different theories that are looked into as to why people are criminals. The theories are biological and sociological.
Biological theories believe that people are more likely to become a criminal based on genetics, psychophysiology, neurological functioning, and biochemistry. The biological theories also found that it is more likely for a male to be aggression then a female. Before birth also plays a role in the biological factors. Exposing the fetus to impulsive, hyperactive, or aggressive behavior can affect that child later on. “For example, a lack of proper nutrients during critical periods of prenatal development, or pre or postnatal exposure to toxic agents may result in mild or severe deficits in cognition and behavior factors that are known to place a child at risk for aggression.” (Gruman, 291).
Sociological theories include social class, poverty, and social inequity. A person’s socioeconomic status is based on education, occupation, income, and neighborhood characteristics. People with a lower socioeconomic status are typically exposed to a higher crime rate environment. The sociological theories make the most sense in explaining criminal behavior. When people are exposed to certain environments it influences their life and behavior. Having low income or living in a bad neighborhood really influences and impacts children as they grow up. Being exposed to a high crime environment will influence others to also commit crimes.
My husband is a police officer in a small town where we live so it’s easy to relate to this topic. My husband does not see or deal with the same things that bigger city officers see or deal with. My husband deals with a lot of car accidents, domestics, and over doses. In larger cities the police officers may deal with burglary, shootings, homicides, or suicides. This example shows that crime is often based off of where you live and the environment you were brought up in.
Gruman, Jamie A., et al. Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. 3rd ed., SAGE, 2017.
It is difficult to pinpoint an exact reason as to what causes someone to become a criminal. Our textbook shows a strong correlation between criminal activity and education level. (Gruman 2016) People without at least a high school diploma are more likely to develop criminal behavior. Sometimes coming from a broken home can also increase the chances of criminal behavior, I believe. You listed many theories to the possible causes of aggression. I had not thought about the biological factors before birth. It makes sense that abnormalities in development can affect cognition later as an adult. I am from a large city and have a friend who joined the police force a few years ago. He tells me he rather be in a small town like your husband. He primarily deals with shooting aftermath in urban neighborhoods.
Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W. , &. Coutts, L.M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems 3rd edition. SAGE Publications.
The sociological theories you mention above regarding criminal behavior makes sense and I agree that they have an impact on an individual who is exposed to that lifestyle from a young age. I also believe that someone who has a solid home life and parents who are around and involved can help to deter their children from being caught up in a life of crime. Criminal behavior has been linked with the term disorder because the activities that take place are outside of what is socially acceptable. (Raine, 1997) Raine also suggests that criminal behavior creates affliction for those who come into contact with a person committing a crime and therefore fulfilling the definition of a disorder. A person who acts with criminal behavior may not seek treatment because they do not think they are sick however it has been stated that they could be experiencing similar symptoms as a person who suffers from a personality disorder but criminal behavior does not meet the same criterion. (Raine, 1997)
Raine, A. (1997). The psychopathology of crime: Criminal behavior as a clinical disorder. Gulf Professional Publishing.