Violent crimes in men and its causes: A literature review combining environmental, psychological and genetic factors of violent criminal behavior

Abstract

Abstract. In this extended project, I consider a variety of causes for violent criminality, and show how genetic, environmental and psychological elements converge to contribute to an individuals likelihood of offending. This review covered some fundamental genetic markers (i.e., XYY syndrome, the MAOA gene variant), with those carried on by environmental influences in the form of own characteristics and immediate factors (i.e. socioeconomic status, familial dynamics) to personal psychological qualities as psychopathy. The results show that genetic influences on a disposition to engage in criminal behavior do not lie dormant but act together outside the confining space of bare biology. In reality, many environmentally and psychologically trigger the actual act of criminal activities. This is not to say that any one of these factors determines whether violent criminal behavior will develop, but rather, that criminal behavior emerges from the interaction of all the elements discussed in this review. Such a nuanced perspective is important for our legal systems, as it emphasises the need of seeing every individual separately and assessing an individual on several levels while also implementing measures that take into consideration some reference to genetic predisposition, surroundings and psychological profile. Further longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies are needed to better understand the relationships between these factors as well as to develop prevention and intervention strategies in the future.