Crime is a dynamic phenomenon that evolves over time and through cultures. Biological theories of crime assume that certain people are biologically different from non-criminals and are thus “born criminals.” Criminals and non-criminals are said to have inherent variations, according to trait theories (Walter & Ilan, 2017). These distinctions can be found by empirical research. The proven accuracy of biological and trait concepts would simplify the process of determining criminals and have various other positive effects.
We may assume that our genes and personalities play a role in criminal activity, but we can’t say how much or to what extent. Our biology and personality are influenced by the characteristics of our social environment (Walter & Ilan, 2017). Human behavior is complex, and determining the true causality of human acts is difficult. But, if the trait hypothesis is correct, it would be much easier to identify offenders, which would have a substantial positive impact on the criminal justice system.
The biological and psychological theories have proved to be extremely useful in terms of presenting empirical evidence on their effectiveness, meaning they could contribute to the enhancement of the criminal determinacy process (Walter & Ilan, 2017). The criminal justice system may compile and use medical models to frame the experiences of various criminal psych types and catalyze the development of a “mind map” that could contribute to new ways of interpreting illegal activity.
Furthermore, these crime models may include some valuable guidance for crime prevention. The underlying traits that manifest as criminal behavior may be evident during adolescence, allowing for changes in socialization experiences and the prevention of a potential delinquency propensity. Operant conditioning can be used to describe a wide range of behaviors and has practical implications in jails, mental hospitals, and even schools.
References
Walter, D., & Ilan, J. (2017). Biological theories of crime versus psychological theories of crime — Comparison and evaluation of their contributions to our understanding of crime and/or criminal justice. ResearchGate. Web.