The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime
A lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology





What is the relationship between criminality and biology? Nineteenth-century phrenologists insisted that criminality was innate, inherent in the offender’s brain matter. While they were eventually repudiated as pseudo-scientists, today the pendulum has swung back. Both criminologists and biologists have begun to speak of a tantalizing but disturbing possibility: that criminality may be inherited as a set of genetic deficits that place one at risk to commit theft, violence, or acts of sexual deviance. But what do these new theories really assert? Are they as dangerous as their forerunners, which the Nazis and other eugenicists used to sterilize, incarcerate, and even execute thousands of supposed “born” criminals? How can we prepare for a future in which leaders may propose crime-control programs based on biology?









In this second edition of The Criminal Brain, Nicole Rafter, Chad Posick, and Michael Rocque describe early biological theories of crime and provide a lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology. New chapters introduce the theories of the latter part of the 20th century; apply and critically assess current biosocial and evolutionary theories, the developments in neuro-imaging, and recent progressions in fields such as epigenetics; and finally, provide a vision for the future of criminology and crime policy from a biosocial perspective. The book is a careful, critical examination of each research approach and conclusion. Both compiling and analyzing the body of scholarship devoted to understanding the criminal brain, this volume serves as a condensed, accessible, and contemporary exploration of biological theories of crime and their everyday relevance.

1123659102
The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime
A lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology





What is the relationship between criminality and biology? Nineteenth-century phrenologists insisted that criminality was innate, inherent in the offender’s brain matter. While they were eventually repudiated as pseudo-scientists, today the pendulum has swung back. Both criminologists and biologists have begun to speak of a tantalizing but disturbing possibility: that criminality may be inherited as a set of genetic deficits that place one at risk to commit theft, violence, or acts of sexual deviance. But what do these new theories really assert? Are they as dangerous as their forerunners, which the Nazis and other eugenicists used to sterilize, incarcerate, and even execute thousands of supposed “born” criminals? How can we prepare for a future in which leaders may propose crime-control programs based on biology?









In this second edition of The Criminal Brain, Nicole Rafter, Chad Posick, and Michael Rocque describe early biological theories of crime and provide a lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology. New chapters introduce the theories of the latter part of the 20th century; apply and critically assess current biosocial and evolutionary theories, the developments in neuro-imaging, and recent progressions in fields such as epigenetics; and finally, provide a vision for the future of criminology and crime policy from a biosocial perspective. The book is a careful, critical examination of each research approach and conclusion. Both compiling and analyzing the body of scholarship devoted to understanding the criminal brain, this volume serves as a condensed, accessible, and contemporary exploration of biological theories of crime and their everyday relevance.

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The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime

The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime

The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime

The Criminal Brain, Second Edition: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime

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Overview

A lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology





What is the relationship between criminality and biology? Nineteenth-century phrenologists insisted that criminality was innate, inherent in the offender’s brain matter. While they were eventually repudiated as pseudo-scientists, today the pendulum has swung back. Both criminologists and biologists have begun to speak of a tantalizing but disturbing possibility: that criminality may be inherited as a set of genetic deficits that place one at risk to commit theft, violence, or acts of sexual deviance. But what do these new theories really assert? Are they as dangerous as their forerunners, which the Nazis and other eugenicists used to sterilize, incarcerate, and even execute thousands of supposed “born” criminals? How can we prepare for a future in which leaders may propose crime-control programs based on biology?









In this second edition of The Criminal Brain, Nicole Rafter, Chad Posick, and Michael Rocque describe early biological theories of crime and provide a lively, up-to-date overview of the newest research in biosocial criminology. New chapters introduce the theories of the latter part of the 20th century; apply and critically assess current biosocial and evolutionary theories, the developments in neuro-imaging, and recent progressions in fields such as epigenetics; and finally, provide a vision for the future of criminology and crime policy from a biosocial perspective. The book is a careful, critical examination of each research approach and conclusion. Both compiling and analyzing the body of scholarship devoted to understanding the criminal brain, this volume serves as a condensed, accessible, and contemporary exploration of biological theories of crime and their everyday relevance.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781479894697
Publisher: New York University Press
Publication date: 08/30/2016
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 416
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Nicole Rafter (Author)
Nicole Rafter was Professor Emeritus of Criminology at Northeastern University. Her publications include The Crime of All Crimes: Toward a Criminology of Genocide, The Criminal Brain: Understanding Biological Theories of Crime, and, with Michelle Brown, Criminology Goes to the Movies. In 2009, Rafter was awarded the Sutherland Award by the American Society of Criminology for outstanding contributions to the discipline.

Chad Posick (Author)
Chad Posick is Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia Southern University.

Michael Rocque (Author)
Michael Rocque is Assistant Professor in the Bates Department of Sociology and the Senior Research Advisor for the Maine Department of Corrections.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Preface to the Second Edition xi

In Memoriam xiii

Authors' Note on the Second Edition xv

Preface to the First Edition xvii

1 Introduction: Crime, History, Science 1

Part I Biological Theories in the 19th Century

2 Moral Insanity and the Origins of Criminology 21

3 Phrenology: The Abnormal Brain 44

4 Criminal Anthropology: The Atavistic Brain 70

5 Evolutionary Theories: The Degenerate Brain 96

Part II Biological Theories in the 20th Century

6 Stupidity Theories: The Backward Brain 131

7 Constitutional Theory: Bodytypes and Criminality 158

8 Criminology's Darkest Hour: Biocriminology in Nazi Germany 190

9 An Unhappy Couple: Criminology and Biology in the Late 20th Century 215

Part III Biological Theories in the 21st Century

10 Becoming Partners: The Emergent Biosocial Model in Theory, Policy, and Practice 255

11 The Future of Biosocial Criminology 283

Notes 303

References 335

Index 367

About the Authors 375

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