Dial 325 Positivism

Positivism: The Beginning of Social Science Research: 

Positivism: The Beginning of Social Science Research Kelly Cheeseman Dial AJ 325

The Birth of Positivism: 

The Birth of Positivism A direct challenge to the “free will” thinking of the Classical School This school was heavily influenced by Darwin’s (1859) Origins of the Species Sought scientific proof that crime was a result of features within the individual ( micro level theory) Criminal behavior is imposed on people due to biological and environment conditions.

Cesare Lombroso: 

Cesare Lombroso The father of positive criminology Observed physical characteristics of Italian prisoners. Concluded that prisoners are different from law-abiding people

Atavism: 

Atavism Atavism is Lombroso’s theory that while most individuals evolve, some devolve This causes them to be primitive or “atavistic” These evolutionary throwbacks are “born criminals.” These are the most violent criminals in society Born criminals could be identified through their atavistic stigmata

The Visible Stigmata: 

The Visible Stigmata Asymmetrical face Large monkey like ears Large lips Receding chin Twisted nose Long arms Skin wrinkles

Applications of Lombroso’s Ideas: 

Applications of Lombroso’s Ideas These photos were an early French police guide to identify particular types of criminals

Causes of Crime according to Lombroso: 

Causes of Crime according to Lombroso Race Density of Population ( immigration) Alcoholism Education Wealth – great wealth and great poverty ( different crimes they commit) His thinking was widely tested and is prominent in other schools of criminology

The Critique of Lombroso: 

The Critique of Lombroso Faulty research methods ( Goring) Racism Sexism The influence of Lombroso is far reaching

“ Innate Criminology”: 

“ Innate Criminology” Lombroso’s theory motivated others to search got characteristics that might cause individuals to commit crime: Inherited traits Physical abnormalities Body type “feeblemindedness” Biochemical imbalances

Charles Goring (1870-1919): 

Charles Goring (1870-1919) English Medical Officer Compared prison inmates to university undergraduates, soldiers, professors, and hospital patients Found no significant differences between behavior and 37 physical traits ( only body stature and weight were significant)

Earnest Hooten ( 1939): 

Earnest Hooten ( 1939) Compared 13, 873 criminals and 3,203 non-criminals as a control group. Claimed to find biological ( not sociological) differences between criminals and non-criminals. Popular in Eugenics circles Sampling was HIGHLY criticized and racially biased

Sheldon Somotypes: 

Sheldon Somotypes Sheldon built on previous hunches (Hooten and Goring) that overall physique rather than specific abnormalities would explain criminality Used 3 body types to evaluate criminality

Endomorphy: 

Endomorphy Relaxed Sociable Tolerant Comfort-loving Peaceful Affection seeking Least likely to engage in criminal behavior

Ectomorphy: 

Ectomorphy Quiet Fragile Restrained Non-assertive Sensitive Anxious Intense More likely to be drug users

Mesomorphy: 

Mesomorphy Active Assertive Vigorous Combative Enjoy risk-taking Desire power Competitive Indifferent toward others Most likely to commit criminal acts

The Glueck’s ( 1950)“Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency”: 

The Glueck’s ( 1950) “Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency” Multi-faceted approach to describing delinquency: Physique Temperament Intellectual Sociocultural Studied 500 delinquent boys and 500 non-delinquent boys in Boston area They were matched on age, race/ethnicity, neighborhood characteristics and intelligence

Physique: 

Physique Delinquents had a more solid, muscular body ( mesomorph’s) Delinquents had a higher energy output Delinquents had fewer neurological handicaps Delinquents had fewer allergies (dermography)

Temperamental Traits: 

Temperamental Traits More hostile More defiant Impulsive Extroverted Aggressive Destructive Less fearful of failure The delinquents tended to resolve mental conflict by extrovertive action 8 times as many non-delinquents resolved mental conflict through introvention

Intellectual Traits: 

Intellectual Traits Delinquents had lower verbal ability Expressed themselves in a direct, immediate manner rather than symbolically or abstractly There is no significant difference in IQ between groups

Behavior: 

Behavior Less interest in school Poor attitude Persistently truant Disobedient Defiant Stealing, setting fires ½ of delinquents were part of a gang

Parental Backgrounds: 

Parental Backgrounds Less educated Unhappy marriages Very harsh or very lax parents Lack of cohesion Lack of affection More alcoholism Emotional disturbances

The Legacy of the Glueck’s: 

The Legacy of the Glueck’s Used a multi-faceted approach to studying crime vs. one-dimensional Focus was on the biological and psychological more so than social or parental factors ( we will get to those theories later on)

Genetics and Crime: 

Genetics and Crime Rejects biological determinism and nature/nurture dichotomies Behavior itself is not inherited, but “traits” that influence how an individual responds to their environment

Biological Hypotheses: 

Biological Hypotheses Hypothesis: Biologically inherited traits such as IQ, amount of testosterone and other genetic traits should increase likelihood of individual criminality Tests: Most studies find weak association between criminality and traits such as testosterone. Weak to moderate support for link with IQ.

Figure 6.1 Biosocial Perspectives on Criminality: 

Figure 6.1 Biosocial Perspectives on Criminality

Biochemical Considerations: 

Biochemical Considerations Aggression and criminal behavior have been linked to diet. Some believe sugar intake is one culprit. If this is true, to what extent is behavior voluntarily induced by these foods?

Neurological Impairment: 

Neurological Impairment If the medical community tells us that neurological impairment was instrumental in the causation of an offense, can the offender be held accountable? If research in the community finds similar impairments in non-offenders, does this change the issue of culpability among offenders who have the impairment?

Figure 6.2 Psychological Perspective on Criminality: 

Figure 6.2 Psychological Perspective on Criminality

Figure 6.2 Psychological Perspective on Criminality (Slide 2): 

Figure 6.2 Psychological Perspective on Criminality (Slide 2)

Psychological Theory:Psychodynamic Perspective: 

Psychological Theory: Psychodynamic Perspective

Crime and Mental Illness: 

Crime and Mental Illness A great deal of early research efforts found that many offenders who engage in serious, violent crimes suffer from some sort of mental disturbance. However, empirical evidence has contradicted this. Research shows that upon release, prisoners who had prior histories of hospitalization for mental disorders were less likely to be rearrested than those who had never been hospitalized. Mentally disordered inmates who do recidivate upon release appear to do so for the same reasons as the mentally sound.

Personality and Crime: 

Personality and Crime Personality can be defined as the reasonably stable patterns of behavior, including thoughts and emotions that distinguish one person from another. Personality reflects a characteristic way of adapting of life’s demands and problems. Psychopaths Sociopaths Anti-Social Personalities

The Sociopath: 

The Sociopath Self-Concept: Invulnerable Superior Pre-emptive rights Sees Others: Dupes/Stupid Inferior Weak Strategies: Manipulative Violence

DSM –IV definition of sociopath: 

DSM –IV definition of sociopath There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by 3 or more of the following: Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are ground for arrest Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead

Diagnostic criteria (continued): 

Diagnostic criteria (continued) Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial oblgations Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

Diagnostic criteria (continued): 

Diagnostic criteria (continued) The person is at least 18 years of age There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 The occurrence of anti-social behavior is not exclusive during the course of a Schizophrenic or Manic Episode. Prevalence: 3% of males (1% of females)

XYY Super Male Criminal: 

XYY Super Male Criminal Some males receive extra Y chromosome, and some predict this extra “maleness” should result in more criminality. Some studies report 1-3% greater proportion of XYY individuals in prisons than in general population that has less than 1%. Weak empirical support, and very narrow scope.

How do we deal with criminals?: 

How do we deal with criminals? If someone has a “sickness” we _________ it. How to we do this in today’s society: ________________ What could this create potentially in the future?

The Biological/Positivist School: 

The Biological/Positivist School Is this a good or bad set of theories? Does it influence how we view crime and criminal justice in America? Does it answer the 2 basic questions? Is it useful?