The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the applicability of a multidisciplinary model to the study of criminality. The limited success of the sociological approach to criminology has suggested consideration of promising new models and methodologies drawn from an integration of the academic disciplines. The model adapted to the study of criminality is Professor Vernon Reynolds' "biology of human action", presented in his 1976 book by the same name. The aim of Reynolds' work was to explore and establish the true nature of the links between biological functioning and social phenomena. Consideration of the applicability of this broad theory of human behavior to the more narrow range of behavior termed criminal or antisocial was the goal of this dissertation. / The distillation of bridging or linking propositions from Reynolds' theoretical model was followed by an examination of each proposition in light of research and empirical evidence relating to criminal and antisocial behavior. The investigation did not propose to bring together all of the relevant knowledge which related to each proposition, but rather, contemporary evidence which was empirically tested or testable was sought. In four chapters, five basic propositions regarding "human action" were applied to the criminological science area. Beginning with an examination of biologically deterministic theories, the relative contribution of genetic input to criminality and antisociality was assessed based upon recent empirical data. The next section considered whether criminals are different from noncriminals, and if criminals could be characterized reliably. Based on the considerable anthropological evidence that man, in general, is not innately aggressive (although many would consider this to be be basically a theoretical argument), the issue of innate aggression in criminals was explored. The physiological links which mediate an individuals' biology and his/her observable functioning are discussed next, within the context of a learning model. This section was organized by three major systems: the central nervous, the autonomic nervous and the endocrine. / The literature dealing with the impact of an adverse family environment, and in particular, of parental deprivation, neglect and abuse was reviwed and related to later criminal or antisocial behavior. A discussion of socialization and social organization concludes the application of the propositions drawn from Reynolds to criminology. Finally, a framework or model for interdisciplinary investigation in the criminological science area, based on those propositions which were supported (or not refuted) was developed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-09, Section: A, page: 4170. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74271 |
| Contributors | EDELHOCH, MARILYN JUDY., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 260 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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