Bio-Psycho-Social Model: Emphasizes biological tendencies along with psychological and environmental factors; all play equally important role in making a person criminal.
Posits that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a significant role in human functioning, including mental processes.
Used in criminal psychology, medicine, sociology, psychiatry, and clinical psychology.
Views mind and body as interlinked systems.
Twin and adoption studies show a genetic basis for antisocial, aggressive, and violent behavior (Mednick et al., 1984).
Youth with early-onset behavioral problems: genetic factors strongly influence temperamental predisposition, especially oppositional temperament.
Later-onset antisocial behavior in childhood/adolescence: genetic factors contribute less; peer influences and parenting lapses play a larger role.
Bio-psycho-social factors are mingled and interdependent.
Research supports an integrated view rather than sole responsibility of genetics/biology or environment.
Optimistic model: believes in treatment, not punishment; suggests criminals should be treated in mental hospitals instead of jails.
Jails are “factories of criminals”: mixing new criminals with hardened offenders increases habitual criminal behavior and crime rate.
Limits: treating all offenders in mental hospitals could lead to abuse and inhumane treatment; removing punishment may encourage crime.
Proportionate punishment proposed as a balanced approach:
Day jails applied in western countries for minor offenses; allows society-specific adaptation.
Example: New York City reduced recorded crime while decreasing prison use (20,000 to 8,000 annually from 1990s to 2000s).
Basic Concepts:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Model Overview | Biological, psychological, social factors equally important |
| Genetic Evidence | Twin/adoption studies show basis for antisocial behavior |
| Onset Variations | Early-onset more genetic; later-onset more environmental |
| Approach | Treatment in mental hospitals; jails as criminal factories |
| Limits | Risk of abuse; need for proportionate punishment |
| Basic Concepts | Genetic predisposition, parenting, social variables, optimism |