Biochemical FactorsBiochemical Factors

Biochemical factors include:Biochemical factors include: Food allergies – substances that cause Food allergies – substances that cause

severe allergic reactions.severe allergic reactions. Diet – high in sugar and carbohydrates, Diet – high in sugar and carbohydrates,

vitamin deficiency and excessive food vitamin deficiency and excessive food additives.additives.

Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar levels.Hypoglycemia – low blood sugar levels. Hormones – abnormal levels – steroids and Hormones – abnormal levels – steroids and

PMS.PMS.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO5

Neurophysiological FactorsNeurophysiological Factors

Neurophysiological studies have included a wide Neurophysiological studies have included a wide range of investigationsrange of investigations Brain tumorsBrain tumors Brain waves (EEG abnormalities)Brain waves (EEG abnormalities) Cerebral structureCerebral structure (FAS) Fetal alcohol syndrome/(FASD) fetal (FAS) Fetal alcohol syndrome/(FASD) fetal

alcohol spectrum disordersalcohol spectrum disorders (MBD) Minimal brain dysfunction(MBD) Minimal brain dysfunction (AD/HD) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

(9x more common in delinquent children)(9x more common in delinquent children)

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO5

An Integrated TheoryAn Integrated Theory

Wilson & HernsteinWilson & Hernstein Nature develops from the interplay of psychological, Nature develops from the interplay of psychological,

biological and social factors.biological and social factors. It is the interaction of genes with the environment It is the interaction of genes with the environment

that in some individuals forms the kind of personality that in some individuals forms the kind of personality likely to commit crimes.likely to commit crimes.

““the offender offends not just because of immediate the offender offends not just because of immediate needs and circumstances, but also because of needs and circumstances, but also because of enduring personal characteristics, some of whose enduring personal characteristics, some of whose traces can be found in his behaviour from early traces can be found in his behaviour from early childhood on.”childhood on.”

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO5