Q.
Critically Analyze the Biological Theories of Criminality
Introduction
Biological theories of criminality try to explain why people commit crimes by
looking at their biological or physical characteristics. According to these theories,
some people become criminals because of their body structure, genes, brain, or
hormones, not because of their environment or society.
In simple words, biological theories believe that some people are born with a
natural tendency to commit crimes. These ideas started in the 19th century
when scientists began studying human behavior through biology and medicine.
Main Idea of Biological Theories
The main idea is that:
• Criminals are born, not made by society.
• Certain biological features or defects make some people more likely to
break the law.
• Factors like genes, hormones, and brain structure influence behavior.
So, according to biological theories, the cause of crime lies inside the person, not
in the environment.
Major Biological Theories of Criminality
Let’s discuss the main biological theories one by one in simple words.
1. Cesare Lombroso’s Theory – “The Born Criminal”
Founder: Cesare Lombroso (Italy, 1835–1909).
Main Idea: Lombroso said that some people are born criminals and can be
recognized by their physical appearance.
He believed that criminals are less evolved humans, similar to our early ancestors
— a concept he called atavism.
Physical Features of Criminals (According to Lombroso):
He said criminals often have:
• Large jaws or cheekbones
• Long arms
• Big ears
• Flat nose
• Uneven face
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• Too much body hair
Lombroso studied many prisoners and found they had more of these features
than other people.
Criticism:
• His ideas were not scientific; later research proved them wrong.
• Many ordinary people also have these features but are not criminals.
• He ignored social factors like poverty, education, and environment.
However, Lombroso is still important because he was the first to study crime
scientifically, not just morally.
2. William Sheldon’s Body Type Theory (Somatotypes)
Founder: William Sheldon (1940s).
Main Idea: Sheldon said that body type is linked to personality and chances
of criminal behavior.
Three Body Types:
1. Endomorphs – Fat and soft → friendly, relaxed, lazy.
2. Ectomorphs – Thin and delicate → quiet, shy, sensitive.
3. Mesomorphs – Muscular and strong → active, bold, aggressive.
According to Sheldon, mesomorphs are more likely to become criminals because
their strong build and confidence make them take risks and act violently.
Criticism:
• No proof that body shape decides behavior.
• Crime depends more on social and mental conditions.
• Many muscular people are peaceful and law-abiding.
3. Genetic Theories (Crime in the Blood)
These theories say criminal behavior can be inherited through genes from parents
to children.
Studies on families, twins, and adopted children were used to test this idea.
Examples:
Family Studies: Found that crime sometimes runs in families.
Twin Studies: Identical twins (same genes) showed similar behavior more often
than non-identical twins.
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Adoption Studies: Children of criminal parents were more likely to commit
crimes, even when raised by non-criminal adoptive parents.
Criticism:
• It’s hard to separate genetic influence from environmental influence.
• Families share both genes and environment, so results are confusing.
• Genes may increase risk, but they do not cause crime by themselves.
4. Brain and Nervous System (Neurophysiological Theories)
These theories say that problems in the brain or nervous system can affect a
person’s control and decision-making.
For example, if a part of the brain that controls behavior is damaged, a person
might act aggressively or impulsively.
Examples:
• Injury in the frontal lobe (area of decision-making) can lead to poor
self-control.
• People with abnormal brain waves (EEG) often show impulsive or violent
behavior.
• Some people with low arousal levels seek excitement through risky acts.
Criticism:
• Not all people with brain problems become criminals.
• Many criminals have no brain injury.
• Environment and upbringing still play a major role.
5. Biochemical Theories (Hormones and Chemical Imbalance)
These theories explain that crime can result from chemical changes or imbalances
in the body.
Examples:
• High testosterone can increase aggression.
• Low serotonin may cause lack of control and impulsive actions.
• Alcohol or drug abuse changes brain chemistry and behavior.
• Poor diet or vitamin deficiency can affect the brain and mood.
Criticism:
Biological changes may influence crime, but they are not the only cause.
Most people with these issues don’t commit crimes unless there are social
problems too.
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6. Modern Biosocial Theories
Modern criminologists believe that both biology and environment together shape
behavior. This is called the biosocial approach.
It says:
Biology (like genes or hormones) can make some people more at risk for crime.
But social conditions (like poverty, peer pressure, or broken families) decide
whether those risks become real.
For example, a person may have an aggressive nature, but with good parenting,
education, and moral training, he may never commit a crime.
Critical Analysis
Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of these biological theories.
Strengths:
1. Introduced scientific and medical methods to study crime.
2. Helped develop forensic science and criminal profiling.
3. Showed that physical and mental health can affect behavior.
4. Encouraged treatment and rehabilitation, not just punishment.
Weaknesses:
1. Too much focus on biology, ignoring society, family, and environment.
2. No clear scientific proof for many claims.
3. Can lead to discrimination or labeling people as criminals based on looks
or genetics.
4. Suggests people have no free will, which is not true — everyone can choose
right or wrong.
5. Many crimes happen due to poverty, unemployment, or social injustice,
not because of biology.
Conclusion
Biological theories have played an important role in the study of criminology.
They helped us understand that crime is not always a moral or religious issue —
sometimes it is linked to physical or mental conditions. However, these theories
alone cannot explain all types of crime.
Modern researchers believe that crime happens due to a mix of factors —
biological, social, psychological, and economic. So, while biology may influence
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behavior, it is society and environment that usually turn a tendency into real
crime.
In Short:
Biological theories focus on body and genes, not society.
Main thinkers: Lombroso, Sheldon, and modern genetic scientists.
They believe some people are born with criminal traits.
These theories are criticized for ignoring environment and social learning.
The modern biosocial view combines both biology and society for a complete
understanding.
