A Biosocial Perspective: How Biological and Social Factors Interact to Increase Risk for Antisocial Behavior

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that biological factors, including genetics, physiological factors, hormones, and brain functioning contribute to the development of aggression, crime and violence. Although there is sometimes still a polarization between biological and sociological perspectives in criminology, empirical studies often reveal biosocial interactions and meaningful relations between different levels of explanation. As a consequence, criminology develops towards an integrated biopsychosocial approach. This panel includes three empirical studies that demonstrate the importance of examining both biological and social factors in furthering our understanding of aggression and criminal behavior. The first study examines the interaction between basal testosterone levels and harsh parental discipline in predicting proactive aggression. Similarly, the second study examines whether prior trauma exposure influences cortisol reactivity to stress, as cortisol reactivity has been associated with antisocial behavior. The third study examines the effects of severe physical punishment and abuse on heart rate reactivity to stress, a risk factor for externalizing behavior. Together, these studies emphasize two important concepts in biosocial criminology: (1) how social factors may affect biological functioning to increase risk for antisocial behavior, and (2) how the presence of a biological risk factor may influence whether a social factor increases risk for antisocial behavior.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Theoretical Explanations of Crime and Criminal Behavior / 1. Biological, Bio-Social and Psychological Perspectives

Individual Presentations

• Rethinking Testosterone and Aggression: Testosterone and Contextual Influences of Harsh Discipline on Proactive Aggression in Youth - Frances Chen, Georgia State University; Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania; Douglas A. Granger, University of California Irvine

• Early Trauma Exposure and Cortisol Reactivity Among Inmates - Alexandria Johnson, University of Alabama; Andrea Glenn, University of Alabama

• Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Maltreated Youth - Jill Portnoy, University of Massachusetts Lowell; Naixue Cui, University of Pennsylvania; Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania; Jianghong Liu, University of Pennsylvania