INDIVIDUAL PROJECT (RESEARCH PROPOSAL) 1. Identify a topic and conduct a literature search (Topic - Are Criminals Born or Bred: Is It as Simple as One or the Other?) 2. Complete an annotated bibliogra

Annotated Bibliography: Are criminals born or bred?

Herrnstein, R. J., & Wilson, J. Q. (1985, August 4). ARE CRIMINALS MADE OR BORN? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/04/magazine/are-criminals-made-or-born.html.

The article above showcases that some sociologists do believe that both options can be viable depending on the criminal's situation. In the article, the authors make it clear that their stance on the subject remains that different criminals are subjected to different variables in their lives. Whether those variables are biological or social we can predetermine what makes a criminal become a criminal. This article explains how the two theories are able to coincide. I tink this article explains the inclusiveness of sociological research questions. There is never one answer.

Holmquist, K. (1996, January 24). Criminals - born or made? https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/criminals-born-or-made-1.24591.

This article focuses on whether or not the behavior of troubled children and teenagers innately biological and inherited. The article also pens the question is criminal behavior the result of social withholding and ethical turmoil. It moves on to further analyze biological theories pertaining to the development of criminal behavior. Dr. Richard Lynn, Professor of Psychology at the University of Ulster and director of the Ulster Institute for Social Research argues that criminal behavior has been increasing virtually throughout the Western world for 50 years because such behavior is passed on from father to son and the genetically deprived criminal underclass is breeding faster than the rest of society. I chose this article because it focuses on genetics and the possibility of criminal behavior being hereditary.

The Scottish Centre for Crime & Justice Research. Theories and Causes of Crime. University of Glasgow.

This article explains the various theories of crime. The article focuses on biological and sociological theories. It also explains the different deterrents of crime and what it takes to curb criminal behavior. I also believe that this article gives the necessary information for pre-research. It has an amazing amount of information. It was helpful in determining which theory I agreed with.

Sterzer, P. (2010, January 1). Born to Be Criminal? What to Make of Early Biological Risk Factors for Criminal Behavior. American Journal of Psychiatry. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09111601.

The article above focuses on the "born criminal" aspect of my research question. It explains the deduction of various theories, but it focuses on whether the biological theory of criminology explains the development of criminal behavior. Sterzer references many other studies throughout this article that refer to the precursors of criminality, In the end, he puts forth the idea that some children and adolescents are made out to be criminals because of identifiers that may or may not explain the source of ther deviance. I chose this article because it relates to other theories I have been exposed to like labeling theory from Juvenile Justice.

Tehrani, J. A., & Mednick, S. A. Genetic Factors and Criminal Behavior. https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/64_2_4_0.pdf.

In this article, the authors break down the various myths that are associated with the theories of criminology. I think the article does a great job of explaining that even if biological factors that indicate criminality are found it doesn't necessarily mean the person holding the characteristics will become a criminal. This article gives an insight to how the various theories can be both proven and disproven. This furthers my hypothesis that criminal behavior can be sourced through multiple avenues. Mednick and Tehrani gave me the basis of my argument.

Wertz, J., Caspi, A., & Belsky, W. (2018, March 7). Genetics and Crime: Integrating New Genomic Discoveries Into Psychological Research About Antisocial Behavior . SAGE Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797617744542.

This article focuses on the hypothesis that criminal behavior can derive from menial education levels. It poses the suggestion that improving school experiences might prevent genetic influences on crime from unfolding. It gives an alternative to precursors for criminal behavior. I chose this article to explain how criminal behavior can be curbed. I think it shows that even when genetic factors are present a "criminal mind" can be molded to stick to the straight and narrow. I believe it will help in my proposal.