Biological Factors - Term Paper Example

Biological factors What indicators predict whether a child will become an active adult offender? Both genetic and environmental factors can be indicators for prediction of adult offensive behavior. Family is the most important predictor of offensive behavior in future. Among those with attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity is mainly determined by family support and environment. Other family related risk factors include improper education, poverty, defective parenting practices, aggressive and criminal behavior tendency in the family members and collapsing family structure.

Families with weak family bonds and poor communication are predictors of future offensive behavior in the child. Parents who do not take disciplinary action against children as and when needed are likely to contribute to development of antisocial behavior in their children. Another predictor of criminal behavior is abuse and neglect in childhood. Peer groups also have an influence on criminal attitudes and behaviors. Poor peer relationships and company of criminal attitude peers contribute to criminal activity tendencies. 2) What biological factors appear to influence criminal propensity?

Behavior of human beings is multidimensional and both biological and environmental factors play a major role in the development of human behavior. The limitations of biological influences on human behavior is evident from family, adoption and twin studies. Evidence from these studies has shown that genetic factors alone are not responsible the complex human behavior and that environmental factors also have an influence on behavior. Biological factors contributing to criminal behavior can be genetic or neurochemical.

Twin studies have shown that there is high hereditary factor in criminal behavior. This is evident from a study in which follow up was done on monozygotic twins who were reared separately and despite different environmental influences, strong criminal behavior was noted among the twins. Thus, there exists a heritable component to criminal behavior or antisocial attitude. In another Sweden-based study too, existence of biological background for criminality increased the risk of criminal behavior in adopted children.

Based on family studies, it is evident that those raised in a family background of criminality are at increased risk of criminal behavior because of both biological factors and environmental factors. Though no definite genes have been identified in regard to criminal behavior, point mutation of gene related to monoamine oxidase inhibitor has been incriminated in this regard. Certain neurochemicals like monoamine oxidase have been linked to antisocial behavior. It has been proposed that low activity of monoamine oxidase resulted in disinhibition leading to aggression and impulsivity.

Another neurochemical incriminated in aggressive behavior is serotonin which has a major role to play in personality traits like bipolar disease, anxiety and depression. Low levels of serotonin have been found to be associated with impulsivity, hyperemotionality and aggressive behavior. Even dopamine has been linked to aggressive behavior.