What Issues Do Biological Theories of Criminology Bring Regarding Free Will and the Justness of Punishment, Essay Example

Biological theories of criminology usually study both body characteristics and endocrinology. The misunderstanding of these theories created a stereotype that if a person is a criminal then most probably he/she was born with it. However, biological theories are one of the interpretations of criminology and not the only. Such studies suggest a connection between the biological heritage and tendency to commit crime. It also strikes to identify special biological factors associated with growing risk of criminality.

Some biological theories result from individual’s interaction with the environment around. Most vivid example is the theory of Cesare Lombroso who created his study based on assumptions that wrongdoers have specific physiognomic characteristics and abnormalities. However nowadays it is certain that there is no possibility to consider that any individual can be born as a criminal since it is difficult to underestimate the social factors and psychological issues. Another theorists such as Beccaria and Bentham “argued that people are rational beings who exercise free will in making choices.” Both theoriests “”argued that a punishment should fit the crime in such a way that the pain involved in potential punishment would be greater than any pleasure derived from committing the crime”. (Criminology)

The new biological theories are more sophisticated. Current studies rely on specific features of genes or the brain instead of appearance. These theories are less deterministic since they recognize the strong influence of social factors in interaction with biologically caused predispositions to crime. There are two major biological theories that exist. One emphasizes genetic factors, another – irregularities in neurological development.

References

The Free Dictionary. (2009). Criminology. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Biological+theories+of+criminology.