Stable Life of Crime Biosocial Essay

Total Length: 709 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 2

However, for adult criminality, the influence of the genetic factors inherent within the individual's makeup takes on greater significance than the environment. Certain genes may be switched on or off by developmental processes (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle 2008: 172). Certain genes also seem to be more strongly influential in predicting criminal behavior in some environments than others. Thus, understanding criminality requires an understanding of genetic factors, not simply epigenetic factors (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle 2008: 173). It has been shown in animal experiments that with the 'correct' environmental influences, the brain structures of animals with the same genetic predispositions can become entirely different, morphologically speaking (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle 2008: 175).

Neither the model of the 'blank slate' at birth nor the idea of someone inevitably destined for a life of crime is really correct, the literature suggests. The strong association between negative environments and also having relatives who engaged in criminal behavior is likely due both to genetics, epigenetics, and also to the social environment as a whole.
A mother from a challenged background may be less careful about how she treats herself during pregnancy while living in poor conditions and the genetically-vulnerable child is more likely to be exposed to triggering stressors. Just like an athletically-inclined child is likely to have athletic parents who put a ball in his or her hand shortly after birth, a child in a criminally-inclined family will be exposed to the 'family trade' quite early in life (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle 2008: 190).

Of course, not all children who become 'problems' have these environmental conditions present. However, it is true that true delinquency only comprises a significant minority of adolescents, and these behavior patterns do not occur randomly. For a "small percentage of adolescents, roughly 3% to l0% adolescence is a period of severe pathology and the continuation of social failure" into adulthood" (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle 2008: 190). Understanding this association is critical to addressing the problems of criminal behavior in.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Stable Life Of Crime Biosocial" (2013, April 15) Retrieved June 30, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/stable-life-crime-biosocial-101350

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Stable Life Of Crime Biosocial" 15 April 2013. Web.30 June. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/stable-life-crime-biosocial-101350>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Stable Life Of Crime Biosocial", 15 April 2013, Accessed.30 June. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/stable-life-crime-biosocial-101350