Discuss the view of trait theorists, how are their views different from traditional criminologists? Would agree or disagree with this theory? Explain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Those who embrace trait theory reject the traditional assumptions that all humans are born with equal potential to learn and achieve and that thereafter their behavior is controlled by external or social forces.
• Traditional criminologists suggest (either explicitly or implicitly) that all people are born equal and that parents, schools, neighborhoods, and friends control subsequent development.
• Trait theorists argue that no two people (with rare exceptions, such as identical twins) are alike, and therefore each will react to environmental stimuli in a distinct way. They assume that a combination of personal traits and the environment produces individual behavior patterns.
• People with pathological traits such as brain damage, an abnormal personality, or a low IQ may have a heightened risk for crime. This risk is elevated by environmental stresses such as poor family life, educational failure, substance abuse, and exposure to delinquent peers.
• These conditions may be interactive. For example, low-birth weight babies have been found to suffer poor educational achievement later in life; academic deficiency has been linked to delinquency and drug abuse.
• A mother's dietary intake during pregnancy can influence a child's IQ level later in life, and intelligence levels have been linked to delinquency.
• The reverse may also apply: A supportive environment may be strong enough to counteract adverse biological and psychological traits.
• Student view will vary.