CJA/314 Biological Criminal Behavior
Analysis of biological factors influencing criminal behavior.
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Running head: Biological Criminal Behavior 1
Biological Criminal Behavior
Amber Wigtion, Nikka Filippi, Bridget Wood, Daniel Landreneau, Jamal Polite
January 15, 2014
CJA/314
Gary Howard
In your analysis of Andrea Yates' case, how do you think biological and environmental factors
contributed to her criminal behavior, particularly in relation to mental illness, genetics, and her
upbringing? Support your answer with specific references to the research and case details
provided.
Word count requirement: 750-1000 words
Biological Criminal Behavior
Amber Wigtion, Nikka Filippi, Bridget Wood, Daniel Landreneau, Jamal Polite
January 15, 2014
CJA/314
Gary Howard
In your analysis of Andrea Yates' case, how do you think biological and environmental factors
contributed to her criminal behavior, particularly in relation to mental illness, genetics, and her
upbringing? Support your answer with specific references to the research and case details
provided.
Word count requirement: 750-1000 words
Biological Criminal Behavior 2
Biological Criminal Behavior
Crimes happen every day and everywhere by many different types of people. Research
has been proven that genes can influence criminal behavior. Biology is confirmed to play a big
role in an individual’s criminality behavior by genetic evidence. Some believe that desire to
commit crimes may be inherited and that criminal inclinations are genetically based. Research
has been done extensively to discover evidence that would support this claim that has been made
by intellectuals. Criminal deeds have always been a motivation due to the debate of nature and
nurture. Studies have been done in regards to this debate that has resulted in a conclusion that
both genes and environment do play apart in the criminality of a person. Genes do not cause
behavior, but they affect tendencies to behave in certain ways (Nurnberger, Aug 10, 2006, para.
3). Research states that crime can be collaborated between the atmosphere and genes. The human
behavioral system is neither environmentally or genetically determined, but does have potentials
that come through interaction of the environment and genes (Owen, pg.87).
Biology was an important factor in the case of Andrea Yates. Mental illness ran strongly
in Andrea Yate’s immediate family. She had two siblings who suffered from postpartum
depression and a brother who was diagnosed with bipolar. Andrea was diagnosed with
postpartum psychosis after her first child was born. This caused Andrea to experience
hallucinations of stabbings (McLellan, 2006). Things got worse for her after the births of her
next three children, which took place one right after the other. Resulting from her children being
born at a rapid pace her hormone levels remained imbalanced,. Mix the imbalanced hormone
levels with the refusal of taking her prescribed medication and mental disorders, disaster was
about to happen.
Biological Criminal Behavior
Crimes happen every day and everywhere by many different types of people. Research
has been proven that genes can influence criminal behavior. Biology is confirmed to play a big
role in an individual’s criminality behavior by genetic evidence. Some believe that desire to
commit crimes may be inherited and that criminal inclinations are genetically based. Research
has been done extensively to discover evidence that would support this claim that has been made
by intellectuals. Criminal deeds have always been a motivation due to the debate of nature and
nurture. Studies have been done in regards to this debate that has resulted in a conclusion that
both genes and environment do play apart in the criminality of a person. Genes do not cause
behavior, but they affect tendencies to behave in certain ways (Nurnberger, Aug 10, 2006, para.
3). Research states that crime can be collaborated between the atmosphere and genes. The human
behavioral system is neither environmentally or genetically determined, but does have potentials
that come through interaction of the environment and genes (Owen, pg.87).
Biology was an important factor in the case of Andrea Yates. Mental illness ran strongly
in Andrea Yate’s immediate family. She had two siblings who suffered from postpartum
depression and a brother who was diagnosed with bipolar. Andrea was diagnosed with
postpartum psychosis after her first child was born. This caused Andrea to experience
hallucinations of stabbings (McLellan, 2006). Things got worse for her after the births of her
next three children, which took place one right after the other. Resulting from her children being
born at a rapid pace her hormone levels remained imbalanced,. Mix the imbalanced hormone
levels with the refusal of taking her prescribed medication and mental disorders, disaster was
about to happen.
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Document Details
University
University of Phoenix
Subject
Criminal Justice