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Psychological Theories Of Criminal Behavior

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Criminal behavior has been observed, evaluated and researched for many years. Some analysts have come up with theories to provide insight into why and how people are influenced to commit crimes. Some of those theories include the biological, sociological, and psychological theories of crime. These theories bring an explanation on why humans may commit criminal activity, and what specific influences have an effect on them. To understand what these theories are, and how humans are affected by them I will evaluate each of the theories.
Biological theories focus on the physical body, for example they can include inherited genes, evolutionary factors, brain structures, or the role of hormones that influence behavior (Ministry of Justice, 2009). …show more content…
This particular theory focuses on exploring the relationship between crime and individual personality, cognitive abilities, social factors as well as developmental factors (Ministry of Justice, 2009). Examples of this particular theory may include a direct result from neglect, abuse, supervision, and the parents own antisocial or criminal behaviors (Ministry of Justice, 2009). Alfred Adler started his medical career as an ophthalmologist but later decided to turn to psychiatry, and spent time on Freud’s discussion group (Mitchell, 2005). Adler wrote, "Every individual represents a unity of personality and the individual then fashions that unity. The individual is thus both the picture and the artist. Therefore if one can change one 's concept of self, they can change the picture being painted." (Mitchell, 2005). Some of his concepts included Holism, Field Theory, Teleology, The Creative Self, Life-Style, and Private Intelligence (Adler, 1927). Adler’s theory is a model of personality, psychopathology, and the foundation of a method for mind development to personal growth (Adler, …show more content…
These theories include language, ethnicity, and class to influence criminal behaviors (Ministry of Justice, 2009). Sociological theories have been criticized because they are not always able to provide strong evidence for the casual relationships they pose (Ministry of Justice, 2009). Sociological theories can also emphasize the effect of social conditions that will have a direct impact on those involved in criminal activity (Ministry of Justice, 2009). According to this theory, society has a direct impact on individuals and influences their actions to commit criminal activity (Ministry of Justice, 2009). There is like this suggests that there is a direct relation to social inequality, the influence of peers, and social disorganization in a community (Ministry of Justice, 2009). Essentially, these theories blame a person’s criminal actions on their environment and surroundings taking no responsibility for their own

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