Two basic Theories of

Deviance

Biopsychological and Sociobiological

Theories
Sociological Theories
Biopsychological Theories
Biological and Psychological Theories
- Cesar Lombroso (Italian Father of Criminology)
- he is an army physician
- identify criminals by their physical characteristics (person's head a
nd earlobe):
> low cranial capacity. > large ears
> retreating forehead. > tufted hair
> highly developed frontal sinuses
> relative insensibility to pain
- Charles Goring (English physcian)
- criminals and non-criminals are physically the same
Lambroso's ideas cause researchers to focus on causes of crime no
t on physical features of criminals.
Somatotypes - theory of body types that people's behavior or tempe
rament is determined by their physique.
- by William H. Sheldon in his book "The Variety of Human Physique",
which predict man's likes and dislikes by measuring his body. It was r
elated to Lambroso's claim that crime is bilogically determined.

Kinds of Somatotypes
> endomorphs - people who are fat, soft, round, and short tapering li
mbs, relaxed, outgoing people, and like physical comfort and eating
> ectomorphs - people who are thin , delicate, bony, small face, sharp
nose, and fine hair, lonely and have numerous illnessses
> mesomorphs - people who are big-boned and muscular with large t
runk, heavy chest , and large wrist, troublemakers, and aggressive

Sheldon didn't claim that body type causes criminality but on influenc
e of an individual to society and society to individual. Body type is rela
ted to aggression among females than among males.
Genetics - present-day criminology theories that offer genet
ic explanation for causes of violent crime.
- excess aggression and hostility results from presence of e
xtra Y chromosome that leads to disproportionate number o
f criminals with XYY chromosomal make-up.
- but studies didn't show prove that crime is genetically dete
rmined.
Pathology - Alchoholic Anonymous (AA) program, which Pre
ston belief that alcoholism are physical allergy and mental c
ompulsion or physical sickness as a form of social deviance.
- pathology-based theory is easily understood since diseases
are known and easily determined its results
- pathology is no person or institutions reponsible for devia
nt behavior because it is physical and emotional problem of
an individual.
Sociobiological Theories

Edward O. Wilson of his book "Sociobiology: The New Thesis"

- science with broad scope of entire society, applying biology
in explaining deviance behavior.
- he assumed human social behavior is a human learning pot
ential that is biologically programmed to accept selected by
experience by assimilation and recording.
- common biological traits may be linked to criminality
- researches emphasize social influences on human behavior

Charles H. McCaghy of his book " Deviant Behavior: Crime, C

onflict, and Interest Groups" emphasized biological factors
Sociobiological Approches
1. Evolutionary processes (Edward O. Wilson)
~ concerned with long-term development of specific behaviors over many generat
ions.

2. Genetic differences (Henry H. Goddard)

~ how behavior is influenced by hereditary factors.
~ Henry H. Goddard, American psychologist and eugenicist, Jukes and Kallikas (stu
dy of hereditary feeble-mindedness)
~ some traits and behaviors my be inherited although mental disorder may re-occ
ur among generations of family

3. Neurophysiological differences
~ concern in wide range of physiologial factors like hormone imbalance, vitamin d
eficiency, brain malfuntioning, or any other aspect that affect learning and behavin
g.
~ focus on abnormalities in the individual personality.
~ behavioral conditioning in childhood is responsible in deviant behavior of an ad
ult.
 Sociobiological Approches

4. Psychoanalytic theory (Sigmund Freud)

~ all of us have deviant tendency because of id but can control by ego or superego.
~ three part of personality: id, ego, and superego
~ abstract concepts is criticized because it can hardly be tested.

5. Behavioral theories
~ people adjust and modify their behavior in response to rewards and punishments by t
heir actions
~ deviant behavior is learned by series of trials and errors
~ favorable outcome-repeat action; unfavorable outconeme-not do same action

6. Containment theory
~ desire to engage in delinquent activities can be contained if the young individuals have
developed strong moral values and positive self-image in younger age.
~ good children - superego; bad children - juvenile delinquency
~ weakneseses: many crimes are committed by normal people and deviance varies on cu
ltural values and norms
~ differential opportunity - opportunities of criminality is not equally prevalent throught
the society
In this first basic theory:
Both biological and psychological approaches view de
viance as an individual attribute.
Sociological analysos is vital.
Albert Cohen of his book "Delinquent Boys: The Cultur
e of the Gang" states that adolescent behavior is influ
enced by delinquent subcultures whose norms and va
lues are far removed from larger society.
Larger society have valuesof gratification, hard work,
moderation,and sobriety. While gang center on hedon
ism, adventure, thrills, and lawlessness.