Different theories attempt to explain what brings about criminal behavior. Such approaches vary in the manner they explain the root of criminal behavior. Examples are biological theory and cognitive theory. Regarding violent criminal actions, the two arguments take different paths in explaining the basis of such behaviors.
Cognition is the ability to process information. It implies to the degree at which an individual memorizes information and put it into use. Cognitive theory of criminal behavior thus, attempt to explain crime as a defect in moral thinking. It includes mental deficiencies and mental development of a criminal individual as asserted by Pratt (2016). It helps in understanding how an individual’s personality and intelligence level are related to delinquency. Regarding violent crime, cognitive theory claim that an individual who gets involved inviolent crimes are influenced by the manner at which he or she perceives the world, the factors that affect him or her and his or her line of thought. For instance, those who involved in domestic violence, sexual assault and theft are most likely to have been brought up by violent parents or stays with friends or relatives who engage in such behaviors.
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This is different from biological theoretical explanation of violent crime. A biological approach to violent crime purports that criminal behaviors are due to specific flaws in an individual’s biological makeup. Such flaws stem from heredity, brain abnormalities or Neurotransmitter dysfunctions. With regards to violent crimes, the biological theory claims that such individual may have inherited such genes from the parents. In a situation where one or both parents have criminal traits, there is a chance that the kid may inherit such genes. Such kids, thus, are capable of committing violent crimes as asserted by Jeffery (2017). Any other brain trauma or any condition affecting neurological system also has possibilities of enhancing criminal behavior in an individual.
References
Jeffery, C. R. (2017). An interdisciplinary theory of criminal behavior. In Advances in criminological theory (pp. 69-88). Routledge.
Pratt, T. C. (2016). A self-control/life-course theory of criminal behavior. European Journal of Criminology , 13 (1), 129-146.
