Introduction
One of the psychological theories that can be used for purposes of explaining a deviant and criminal behavior is the trait theory. Under this theoretical framework, psychologists are concerned with the personality of human beings. People who ascribe and believe in the principles of trait theory are concerned with the methods they use for purposes of measuring the various traits and behavior of human beings (Akers, 2013). To efficiently understand this concept of the contemporary trait theory, there is a need of understanding the meaning of traits. These are patterns of behaviors that form the personality of an individual.
Over a period of time, a trait becomes the norm that can be used to describe the character of an individual, which in turn can be used to explain the reason that makes him to engage in a deviant or criminal behavior. This paper provides an analysis of the trait theory, and it examines a number of literatures and writings that are supporting the theory, and others which are against the theory. The major argument of this paper is that the contemporary trait theory does not provide an adequate explanation on the factors and reasons that motivate an individual to engage in criminal activities.
Summary of the Theory
The origin of the trait theory lies on the principles that are established under biological positivism. The main tenet of the principles of biological positivism is the fact that the emergence of a criminal behavior is because of the abnormal biological traits and physical growth of the victim. According to this theoretical framework, a link exists between the behavioral characteristics of an individual, and the chemical changes that normally occur in their nervous system and the brain (Eck & Weisburd, 2015). In the view of people who support the trait theory, they argue that these unique characteristics of an individual are inherited, and they may emanate due to neurological problems.
Additionally, according to this theoretical framework, a person may engage in a criminal activity because of disorders in their body system, that arises out of chemical imbalances. One of the psychologists and prominent scholar of contemporary trait theory is Sigmund Freud. This scholar came up with a theory called the Psychodynamic Trait Theory, which sought to explain the biological characteristics of man that makes him to engage in criminal activities (Belknap, 2014). In the view of this theoretical framework, the biological system of man comprises of elements of the superego, ego and id. The nature of money which is responsible for the emergence of basic needs is the id, and it governs the needs of man, touching food and sleep.
The ego is responsible for controlling the id, and it establishes the boundaries that a human being should not pass. On the other hand, the super-ego is responsible for judging the actions of the id and their morality. Therefore, in the view of the psychodynamic trait theory, people who engage in criminal behaviors normally have a damaged ego. This is because the ego has lost its ability to control the basic needs and desires that are brought about by id.
Supporting Articles
In the view of Jones (2001), trait theory is one of the best ways of explaining a deviant behavior. Jones (2001) provides an example of the cognitive trait theory, while seeking to examine the reasons for the emergence of the deviant behaviors of crime. For instance, the cognitive theory of crime denotes that one of the factors responsible for emergence of a criminal behavior is due to faulty reasoning and poor mental perception. In fact, the legal systems of most jurisdictions believe on the notion that an individual can engage in a criminal behavior because of poor mental development and faulty reasoning (Curran & Renzetti, 2001).
This is a concept that is referred to as insanity, and it is one of the best defenses in a criminal proceeding. Insanity is a biological problem that emanates because of biological and chemical imbalances in the body system of an individual. Furthermore, while supporting the trait theories of understanding an individual’s behavior, Jones (2001) examines the impact of neurophysiological conditions on crime. Specifically, Jones (2001) is talking about a disorder called attention-deficit hyperactivity. According to this disorder, people will engage in a criminal or deviant behavior because they want to seek attention. These people are suffering from attention-deficit hyperactivity, which is an example of a biological problem (Cuffe et al., 2015).
Refuting articles
In the view of Jennings (2016), biological theories of crime are not sufficient in explaining the reasons and causes of crime. She denotes that it is the sociological theories of crime that are efficient in the explanation of deviant behaviors and the reasons for the emergence of criminal activities. Her major argument is the notion that crime and deviance are sociological issues; thus, the best way of understanding them is to take a sociological approach. Brauer & Bolen (2014) identify three important sociological theories of deviance that can be used for purposes of explaining crime and deviance are the labeling, conflict and social strain theory.
Labeling theory asserts that crime and deviant behavior occurs because of the negative labeling of an individual. On the other hand, social strain theory asserts that deviant behaviors arise because of the inability of an individual to achieve the societal goals and expectations that they have towards him. On this note, Brauer & Bolen (2014) believe that the best method of understanding criminal behavior is to use sociological theories of crime.
Conclusion
Finally, the strain theories are biological theories that seek to explain the occurrence of crime and deviant behaviors by appealing to the biological characteristic of an individual. However, it is not the best way of understanding and explaining deviant behaviors, and this is because such kinds of behaviors are sociological. Therefore, to effectively understand a deviant behavior, there is a need of using theories such as the labeling, social strain and conflict theories of crime.
References
Akers, R. L. (2013). Criminological theories: Introduction and evaluation. Routledge.
Belknap, J. (2014). The invisible woman: Gender, crime, and justice. Nelson Education.
Brauer, J. R., & Bolen, J. D. (2014). Learning theories of crime. The Nurture Versus Biosocial Debate in Criminology: On the Origins of Criminal Behavior and Criminality, 110.
Cuffe, S. P., Visser, S. N., Holbrook, J. R., Danielson, M. L., Geryk, L. L., Wolraich, M. L., & McKeown, R. E. (2015). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity.
Curran, D. J., & Renzetti, C. M. (2001). Theories of crime. Pearson College Division.
Eck, J. E., & Weisburd, D. L. (2015). Crime places in crime theory.
Jennings, W. G. (2016). Integrated theories of crime. The Encyclopedia of Crime & Punishment.
Jones, S. (2001). Psychological Theories of Crime. The Encyclopedia of Crime & Punishment.
