Biological theories of crime examine a human’s genetic make-up that leads an individual to commit crimes contrary to societal expectations. These human conditions progress over time, thereby increasing the rate at which one commits crimes. On the other hand, psychological theories of crime focus on the social factors that may lead to an individual’s criminal behavior. However, biological and psychological theorists face essential challenges in explaining criminal behaviors.
Firstly, it is hard to explain why specific theories, especially the biological theories, do not account for why certain crimes occur in some parts of the country. For instance, rape crimes are rampant in certain parts of the country. It is difficult to identify why certain biological and social factors that lead to criminal behaviors are only situated in these particular parts of the country. This poses a challenge to the theorists because they lack the answers to provide the society with, given that these theories examine individual’s criminal behaviors. Secondly, there is inaccuracy in predicting criminal behavior while these theories claim to examine these behaviors' actual causes (Fortune 2019). Not all individuals are influenced by the genetic and social factors in committing crimes. Sometimes an individual may have a good upbringing as well as good conduct; however, something may come upon this person and triggers him to commit a crime. In such cases, a theorist may not label genetic or social factors that caused the action, and sometimes there is a spiritual influence that leads one to commit a crime. These theories could gain more credibility in the scientific community when theorists use different references that stand out over time, such as Darwin's perception of Lombroso's evolutionary theory invalidating how genetics contributed to criminality.
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Biological and Psychological theories examine certain factors that contribute to an individual's criminal behaviors. However, theorists face certain challenges in explaining some criminal behaviors. For example, they cannot elaborate on why certain parts of the country experience specific criminal acts. Secondly, there is inaccuracy in predicting an individual's cause of criminality in relation to what the theories state. Therefore, using references to validate these theories could offer credibility in the scientific community.
Reference
Fortune, C. A., & Heffernan, R. (2019). The psychology of criminal conduct: a consideration of strengths, weaknesses and future directions. Psychology, Crime & Law , 25 (6), 659-674.
