CCJ-3011 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Trait Theory, Travis Hirschi, Reciprocal Altruism
20 Dec 2016
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The view that criminals have physical or mental traits that make them different or abnormal. William sheldon suggested somatotype (body-build) makes people susceptible to delinquent behavior: mesomorphs muscular/athletic (aggression, ectomorphs tall/thin (intellectual, endomorphs heavy/slow (fences) Sociobiology reemerged in the 1970s (edmund o. wilson: sociobiologists view the gene as the ultimate unit of human destiny ensuring of survival (reciprocal altruism) Each offender is mentally and physically unique. Humans do not possess equal potential to learn and achieve. People develop physical or mental traits at birth or soon after that affect their social functioning over the life course and their behavior choices. The physical & social environment interact to either limit or enhance capacity for learning. Biochemistry and cellular interaction control learning: instinct: some biosocial theorists contend learning is influenced by instinctual drives (rape or desire of males to control females) Some trait theorists suggest biochemical factors contribute to criminality. Over-or undersupply of certain chemicals and minerals are associated with antisocial behaviors.
