Biological Theories Of Human Behavior

Biological theories are “theories that maintain that the basic determinants of human behavior, including criminality, are constitutionally or physiologically based and often inherited” (pg. 81 Schmalleger). Common assumptions of this are that physical attributes can cause an individual to commit criminal activities. It is believed that certain physical attributes are passed down from parent to offspring. Many early theorists believed that criminality ran in families and could be inherited. “Johan Caspar Lavater believed that the shape of the skull and other facial features impacted human conduct. Cesare Lombroso began examining other parts of the body such as ear size, amount of hair, etc. to compare the characteristics of criminals to other