You may have heard the saying that biology is the gun and the environment is the trigger. This saying suggests that a genetic or biological predisposition to criminal behavior is not enough on its own to cause criminal behavior. Rather, criminal behavior is more likely to occur when a combination of biological/genetic factors and environmental factors are present.
For this Assignment, you consider the genetic and biological causes of criminal behavior in the Keen family. You also consider how social, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological factors interact with genetic/biological factors to increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.
Submit a 500- to 750-word paper in which you address the following:
How do the following factors account for the criminal behavior in the case study? Genetics Biology
How do the social, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological factors you identified over the past 3 weeks interact with the genetic and biological factors listed above to create a cumulative effect on the criminal behavior in the case study?
Support your response with specific examples from the case study, theories from the Learning Resources, and relevant professional experience.
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RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
This 500–750-word paper asks you to use a case study (the Keen family) to explain how genetic and biological factors contribute to criminal behavior, and how they interact with social, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological factors to create a cumulative effect. The saying ‘biology is the gun, environment is the trigger’ is your organizing idea — no single factor acts alone.
Key takeaways
- Frame it with the biosocial view: genetics/biology create predisposition, environment pulls the trigger.
- Address genetics and biology separately, then show how other factors interact with them.
- Pull specific examples from the Keen case study for every claim.
- Support with theories from your Learning Resources, not just opinion.
- Avoid determinism — explain increased likelihood, not inevitability.
Explain the genetic and biological factors
Take each in turn using the case. Genetics: heritable predispositions — family history of antisocial behavior, inherited temperament, or gene variants discussed in your resources. Biology: factors such as prenatal exposure, head injury, neurotransmitter or hormonal influences, and prefrontal/limbic functioning. Point to the specific details in the Keen family that illustrate each.
Show the interaction (the cumulative effect)
This is the graded core. Explain how the social, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological factors you identified in prior weeks combine with the biological base: a genetic predisposition plus adverse environment (abuse, poverty, poor attachment), plus learned behavior and distorted thinking, compounds the risk. Use a biosocial theory to tie it together and reference the case at each step.
Keep the reasoning careful
Argue in terms of probability and interaction, not fate — predisposition raises risk; it doesn’t guarantee crime. That nuance shows you understand the ‘gun and trigger’ model.
Format
500–750 words, clear headings for genetics, biology, and interaction, and support from the case study, course theories, and (if relevant) professional experience. Cite in APA.