CRI205H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Premenstrual Syndrome, Homicide, Low Birth Weight
26 Jan 2017
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The view that criminals have physical or mental traits that make them abnormal is not new, it has been present since the 19th century. Criminologists have suggested that biological and psychological traits may influence behaviour. Low birth weight babies have been found to perform poorly in educational achievements later in life. So these personal differences explain why when two ppl are faced with the same life situations, one person commits and becomes a chronic offender while the other person attends school, church and obeys the law. The variation on this view of crime causation are referred to as trait theories. Trait theorists focus on basic human drives that are linked to antisocial behaviour such as aggression, violence and impulsivity. They recognize that crime involves personal traits, genetic makeup, environmental factors and neighbourhood conditions. Therefore, physical or mental traits are only part of a large pool of factors that account for criminality. Raffaele garofalo certain physical characteristics indicate a criminal nature.
