Are Criminals ‘Born’ or ‘Made’? A Study Through the Lenses of Criminological Theories

“Crime is a social phenomenon” as provided by Émile Durkheim, means that crime is deeply connected with the structures of the society. It is a product of social norms itself. However, what actually causes people to commit crimes? Which social phenomena impact on the rise of crime in a particular society? Is it only just the social norms and behaviors that make people criminals or do they turn into criminals themselves? Are criminals born or made?

Biological theory
The Biological theories of criminal behavior support the idea that criminals are ‘born’. This theory suggests that certain biological traits such as, genetics, hormones or neurological differences can play a great role in criminal behavior. Cesare Lombroso, in the 19th century, suggested that some people are born criminals and can be identified by certain physical features. These theories also demonstrate that criminal behavior is within the nature of an individual, people commit crimes through their free will. However, another criminologist, Enrico Ferri said that biological factors do influence crime but also emphasized the role of social, economic, and political conditions.

Sociological theory
Sociological theories of crime favor the fact that criminals are ‘made’ not ‘born’. Society influences criminal behavior. Certain environmental and economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate education etc play an important role in creating criminal tendency within an individual. This can be supported by sociologist Robert Merton’s ‘Strain theory’. According to Robert Merton, society sets some cultural goals-such as-financial success, but doesn’t provide equal means for everyone to achieve them. When individuals cannot achieve such goals through legitimate means, they experience strain, which may lead them to seek alternative, often illegitimate means. Another theory which is known as ‘Differential Association Theory’ as provided by Edwin H. Sutherland suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others, especially through those who have previously committed crimes.

Bangladesh offers a timely study on how environmental and societal factors can ‘make’ criminals. Reports can be found everyday related to mugging and robbery. The very recent weakened law enforcement, disrupted judicial processes and economic uncertainty helps in creating an environment where crimes can easily flourish. Cases can also be found related to juvenile delinquency where most of the teenagers commit crimes while imitating others.

Psychological theory
The Psychological theory of criminal behavior explains crime as a result of problems within the mind. It seeks to understand criminal behavior through the lens of individual mental processes and personality traits. It focuses on how personal experiences, trauma, mental illness, and development influence criminal tendencies. One of the most prominent theories of criminal behavior under the psychological theories is the Psychoanalytic theory of crime as provided by Sigmund Freud. He believed that childhood experiences have great influences on adult lives, shaping individual’s personality. His ideas helped people understand how inner conflicts can lead to criminal behavior. He divided the mind into three parts: Id (desires), Ego (reality) and Superego (morals). The imbalance between the Id, Ego and Superego might push a person towards criminality.

Conclusion

Most contemporary perspectives seem to agree that individuals may be born with certain predispositions which can increase vulnerability to criminal behavior, nevertheless, certain environmental and sociological factors such as family dynamics, childhood traumas, peer influences also help in creating criminal tendency within an individual. Are criminals really ‘born’ or ‘made’? The answer can be both. It depends on many aspects. What kind of mental illness that person might have, in which environment and society such person was born and raised in, how the relationship between the child and the parents is and so on. People can be ‘born’ with criminal tendencies. Although no single strategies can completely eliminate the factors that ‘make’ people criminals certain measures can be taken to reduce the elements such as-quality early education, parenting programs, substance abuse treatment, accessible mental health care, establishing new policies to reduce poverty etcetera. Bangladesh is undergoing a sudden rise in crimes in recent months. For this reason it’s essential to make sure that the law and order officials are aware of the latest research avocations on criminal psychology and updated technicalities being utilized in modern societies to combat crime.


Fariha Tasnim Urmila is a
student in Department of
Law, Bangladesh University
of Professionals (BUP) in
Mirpur Cantonment, Dhaka.