Biological Criminal Behavior

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nhaqern01

Business Finance

Description

Choose a criminal offender who committed crimes due to a biological reason.

Write a 1,400- to 2,100-word paper discussing the genetic or physiological evidence that supports the notion that biology played a key role in explaining the offender's criminality.

Research the behaviors that constitute psychopathy. Discuss in detail the specific behaviors demonstrated by the offender that align with behaviors indicative of a psychopathic individual. Case examples include the following:

  • Andrea Yates and the documented evidence of psychiatric issues, including post-partum depression, prior to the murders of her five children
  • Charles Whitman, known as the Texas Tower Sniper, and the presence of a tumor discovered post-mortem alleged to have played a role in his overt acts of aggression
  • John Hinckley, Jr. and the documented evidence of psychiatric issues leading to his controversial insanity defense in the shooting of President Ronald Reagan

Include at least two academic references.

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Explanation & Answer

Attached.

Criminology and its biological Connection - Outline
Thesis Statement: There is a strong biological correlation between overt aggression and
criminal activity.
I. Introduction
The relation between criminology and biology
II. Analysis
A. A background of:
a. psychopathy and its effect on human beings
b. genetics and their impact on human behavior
B. Case studies that show the biological link between criminality and biological
discrepancies
a. Andrea Yates
b. Charles Whitman
c. John Hinkley, Jr


Running head: CRIME AND PSYCHOLOGY

Criminology and Human Psychology
Name
Institution

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CRIME AND PSYCHOLOGY

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Criminology and Human Psychology
Relating Criminology to Biology
Criminology is a branch of social studies that attempt to understand the reasons that
individuals who act criminally do so. Criminology is a study of human beings and society. That
makes it a sub-branch of anthropology whose only distinction is that it is specialized. Biology,
on the other hand, is the study of living organisms. These two concepts interconnect through the
auspices of biological and genetic factors that predispose a person to criminal behavior. There is
a host of literature that discusses the subject. The case studies of Yates, Whitman, and Hinkley
provide fodder to show that the there is a close connection between criminal aggression and
biological facilitators.
Men's Rea and its Place in Criminal Law
There are two elements to every criminal act or omission. One is the act and the second is
the mental status or intention of the perpetrator (except acts of strict liability). The psychological
dispensation of a person is the called mens rea. It must be proven on the high standard of being
beyond reasonable doubt by a prosecution to secure a conviction. The correlation between
criminal activity and biological facilitation attempts to establish instances of real culpability. It
attributes anti-social and psychotic behavior to the cause, biological dysfunctions. The resultant
empirical evidence suggests a lasting comprehension of the motivators of criminal intention.

CRIME AND PSYCHOLOGY

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Biological Theories in Criminology
Cesare Lombro...


Anonymous
Really useful study material!

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