Assignment on Critically Analyse

CRITICALLY ANALYSE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE AND BIOLOGICAL THEORY
AFFECTING MURDER.................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

TITLE: CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE AND BIOLOGICAL
THEORY AFFECTING MURDER
INTRODUCTION
Crime is an offence or unlawful act committed by a person or group of individuals that
results in condemnation and punishment generally in from of fine or imprisonment. This is an
unlawful act punishable by law (Michalowski, 2016). Crimes do not happen suddenly once in a
while and it requires a motive and reason for commitment (Robert, 2018). A criminal gets
provoked by any fact that can be mental position or the physical need. One of them main reason
behind commission of crime is physiological factor (Drawve and Walker, 2018). The office of
national statistics had justified that number of crimes related to murder in England and Wales has
reached 5 million mark on annual aspect over 10 years and raised by 13% (Crime rises by 13%,
2019). Murder this one of the most serious crime of all and this offence result in the death of
person who is being attacked by the offender (Acland, 2018). The person report presents the
psychological factors that influence a person to committee as murder. These factors can be
cognitive, social, biological, developmental etc (TKelsen, 2017). In this report focus is kept on
Cognitive and biological psychology of Murder with presenting critical evaluation of these two
factors.
MAIN BODY
MURDER:
As per the views of the author a murder is defined as unlawful killing of another person
without any valid justification or excuse (Thomas, Connor and Scott, 2018). This is different
from manslaughter and assault. A murder is an act in which a person is killed by another without
any significant reason that can be presented as legal one. As killing someone out of personal rage
is not justifiable under law hence is a criminal offence (Consciousness and Cognition:
Fragments of Mind and Brain, 2018). On the other hand author stated that this criminal act
being persuaded by psychological or sociological factors (Wertz and et.al., 2018). The
psychology behind murder is not restricted to one or two factors rather this has got a wider scope
which can be divided as cognitive, biological, social, developmental and individual difference.
COGNITIVE PHYSIOLOGY AND MURDER:
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The writer presented in his study the psychology of a person and the state of mind which
defined how a person thinks (Vallabhajosula, 2015). This is related with memory, span and
reasoning ability of an individual. Basically this means that how people think and defines the
reason behind an act and get to a conclusion along with retaining meaningful information.
Conversely, the authors defined that for commitment of murder a person also do the same meth,
which can be either metal satisfaction or monetary benefits, providing justification to oneself as
to why he/she is committing such an offence or giving oneself ethical and moral implication of
being human (Butler Lee and Senior, 2017). The cognition psychology in criminology deals with
determining the mental statues of a person and when he/she was thinking before, after and at the
time of killing some other person.
COGNITIVE THEORY IN CRIME
According to author, cognitive is elaborated as capability for processing information
(Akers, 2017). Cognition has to perform with capability for learning information in
understandable, quick and memorized information which is pertained. The cognitive theories of
crime are undertaken in psychological theories of behaviour of criminal as they are very
important for getting information about presence of multiple theories as an attempt for
explaining criminal behaviour. However, author has explained this with context of desperation
for understanding about why people commit crimes has often been studied with sociologists and
psychologists along with analysis and to develop explanations about existence of this behaviour
(Welsh, Zimmerman and Zane, 2018). Yet, it has been stated that cognitive theory is referred as
one of psychological theory with reference to criminal behaviour (Farrington, 2017). This theory
of crime provides explanation about criminal behaviour as defect with context or moral thinking,
mental development along with thought process.
As per views of author, cognitive theory helps in understanding about personality of
individual and level of intelligence associated with delinquency (Lowry, Zhang and Wu, 2017).
As these theories are highly broad which is mainly improved as other factors. Moreover, in
accordance with the views of author Cognitive theories laid special emphasis on perceiving
throughout the world along with factors which influence mental development such as parental
modelling, intelligence, personality and family upbringing (Simpson and Paternoster, 2017).
These theories provide help for explaining about development of thought process in moral
aspect.
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On the contrary, author has stated that, cognitive abilities have contributed in major
aspect within criminal behaviour (Helm and Reyna, 2017). There are multiple psychological
explanations with reference to serial murder. The impulse and instinct theory has questioned that
human beings has presence of innate and instinctual quality which will lead for committing
aggressive and violent behaviour. However, According to author, attachment theory has
observed experience of early life which lays special emphasis on bond among child and mother
(Blattman, Jamison and Sheridan, 2017). It had been argued that break in bond will direct child
to life of delinquency and crime as this theory is epitomised through serial murder Aileen
Wuornos. As this a social learning theory which will directly influence media with violent and
aggressive behaviour as this is demonstrated through Charles Ng, a serial murderer influenced
via John Fowles' book 'The Collector'.
It had been critiqued about discourse with its causes of crime and association with human
nature has existed with centuries with discipline of criminological psychology could be emerged
with its right indeed (Carrington and et.al., 2018). However, author has observed transformation
with context of psychological input with criminological field (Walters and Espelage, 2017).
There is combination of two approaches noting about extravert to be as offenders due to less
condition ability such as absences of learning and less likely for learning social control through
socialisation process. Moreover, it has been expressed this concept as having a direct
provocation with high curiosity as it could be argued about psychological theories with concern
of individual with context of relationships from others (Reynolds and McCrea, 2018). From
years, psychology witnessed about disagreement among theorists as to violence and aggression
which is instinctive and natural or with fact of learning via external influences like media.
MURDER AND COGNITION
According to author, means rea is the motive behind a crime and Murder being one of the
most inhuman act needs a significant reason to be proved under the legal system as an offence
(Kevin Jon Heller, 2009). The metal states of criminal needs to define at the time of committing
the murder to prove that person guilty of the crime (The Cognitive Psychology of Mens Rea,
2018). In this context mens rea can be explained as the ability to engage in the complex thoughts
which influence the behaviour of a person. On the contrary, it has been stated that focus must be
kept on the mental status of a person before, at the time and after committing a murder (Nicholas
Herrera, 2018). For conducting the study a case of Nidal Hasan, an Army person is being
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referred as this person killed 3 people and left 29 other injured in a public area in Texas . The
reason behind this offence was determined and deputed to Afghanistan, him being harassed
because he was from Arab origin, depression, Muslim etc. All this factors affected his mental
status and this is cognition for committing mass murder.
Study reflected that Mental status is one of the prime factors that is being main
influential power to commit a crime and the other theorise of the criminology are influencing
factors for the reaching the metal status of a person at this stage of committing murder (Cognitive
Dissonance, the Need to Belong, and Mass Murder, 2018). Such as biological factor which can
be hormonal power that is a person under the influence of Drug kills someone else the mental
status can be defined as offenders have failed to develop their moral judgement capacity and
commit a murder. However, views has been stated that cognition under murder is directly linked
with the fitness of the court for the determinants (White, 2015). As this decides the ability of a
person to recover and change his/her perspective about the laws and crime both. The trial taken
in the court room defines the ability of a criminal to get influenced with his/her cognition about
the commission of crime. A positive impact directly results in prevention of crime and their
rehabilitation.
Accordion to writer, that prevention of crime and the citizens is prime duty of the
governments and the state (Allan, 2018). With investigation motive behind the murders criminal
strategies and policies are formed to detect the mind set of murders for prevention of crime. The
Psychologists authors presented relation between murder and cognition as a person collectively
have a responsibility to use their abilities, knowledge, skill and experience to enhance law's
effectiveness, efficiency, and reliability in preventing harm, but their professional behaviour in
this collaboration must be moral. These practices provide three of the major pillars of crime
prevention that is intervention, policing and rehabilitation of the criminals.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY IN CRIME
According to author, biological theory provides explanation about behaviour contrary to
multiple societal expectations via examining individual features (Robert, 2018). It is categorised
within a particular paradigm is referred as positivism as it asserts behaviour and consist of law
violating behaviour identified through factors which is largely beyond self-control. Still, theories
are determined by author in three types such as those who attempt for differentiating individuals
with context of certain innate, who trace source of variation to hereditary or genetic features and
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distinguishing in individuals with context of functional, structural or chemical variation in body
or brain.
On the contrary, author stated that criminology is exploring on basis of neuroscience or
study of brain and brain imaging techniques are very less and detailed invasive (DeLisi and et.al.,
2018). It has shown about presence of structural and chemical variations in criminals brains as
compared to brain of non-criminals. Simultaneously, he has stated that certain typology of
criminals have presence of less activity in part where brain is responsible for fear and arousal.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY IN MURDER
As per views there is presence of multiple biological explanations with context of serial
murder (Betzig, 2018). Initially, it must observe abnormalities related to chromosomal with
specific condition of presence of extra Y chromosome (XYY) and trying to associate with
criminal behaviour. Simultaneously, there is discussion of head trauma in terms that its outcome
is violent and aggressive actions. Furthermore, it was stated by.... that biochemical actions are
explored with consideration with imbalance in hormones, serotonin or blood sugar could impact
on violent and aggressive tendencies. However, sub sections took consideration about
foundations of this perspective within work of Cesare Lombroso (Italian criminologist and
physician) (Laplanche, 2018). It had been argued by him that criminals reflect physical type
distinct as compared to non-criminals. There is representation of form of degeneracy apparent
with physical characteristics directly suggestive to earlier forms of evolutionary life as they are
atavistic and throwback to multiple form of evolutionary life.
Author has stated that, Lombroso observes distinctive criminal features such as unusual
sized ears, asymmetry of face, unusual shape of nose like flattened and twisted (Todd and Miller,
2018). As murderers are observed with presence of beak like nose and protruding lips. But it has
expressed the views as social relationship of man constitute fundamental biological fact with
existence and evolution as well (Tittle, 2018). Apart through group organization, men could not
be contended along with multiple forces of nature and nobody could attain their characteristic
about mental progress. With reference to group organization, every individual directly secures
safety of life which shows existence and it also contacts with minds and stimulates about
developing powers.
However, author states that the group has worked towards progressive end in both
naturally and biologically aspect (Sulimani‐Aidan, 2018). As these progressive groups via
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limited and localised in function are not be required to be mutually exclusive, since so far they
are represented as true biological groups which will serve at end as an inclusive human end.
As per views, of all groups family is associated through most intimate ties as it is via
family group that life is handed on actual basis and preserved (Purzycki and et.al., 2018).
Conversely, the significance in each individual's mental life of family images and life of parent
could not be overestimated. Biologically, family group is a particular unit within and increasing
series of big units which is beyond and up-to nation. However it is argued, ending has sub-served
through family should be at similar end which is sub served on wide scale of humanity, human
safety, namely, racial progress and human development (Illiano and et.al., 2018). In this aspect,
normal family group is best fit with its objective as there could be absence of stimulus to every
individual in his early days as compared to development of stimulus provided through parent.
It is stated that, desire of child with context to approval of parent is spur for attainment
and action where standard of conduct of parent is compassed through child by force of
suggestions and adjusts with own course (Boukli and Renz, 2018). In this aspect, there are
requirements related to social environment and reflected through parent and child catches initial
glimpse of urge with himself as it will lead on full realisations about his powers. O n the
contrary, it is emphasised application of pharmacological treatments are used for controlling
murder which is reflected in two major areas such as chemical castration with sex offenders and
various pharmacological interventions for alcohol or drug addicts (Tangney, BOONE and
BAUMEISTER, 2018),. As this addicts could stop medication and returns with application as
sex offenders are monitored with evidence as efficacious policy. Moreover, in his theory it is
explained that Sometimes in criminal justice system, mentally ill people are ordered for
consumption of medications for treating mental illness (Terrie, 2018). In the similar aspect, other
pharmacological interventions for purpose of control crime or murder seems plausible and
investigated in proper aspect as it does not appear for wide application.
As per views, biological model of murder in criminality has presence of significant
impact on policy which is outside the application of chemical castration for various sex offenders
which would be replicated as policy which directly forms criminal behaviour (Blau and
Schwartz, 2018). The certain individuals might be not rehabilitated along with advocacy for
stricter and harsher imprisonments along with execution are referred as very viable method of
control with these instances. On the contrary it had been stated that, issue for community is about
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recognising an important biological contribution with context of criminal behaviour where
genetic testing is not reliable and absence of other physical markets with context of criminality
(Robert, 2018). Furthermore, it seems that currently with absence of harsh crime such as murder
should be considered as repeat offender prior for acknowledging a possibility of innate tendency
with reference to criminality. By the time damage is often irreparable is performed and stricter
probation and parole practices associated with offenders for first time. Conversely, it is explained
the policy as very expensive one and it might be not supported through tax payers ( Gottschalk
and Gunnesdal, 2018). In similar aspect, mandating policy has convicted that offenders should be
monitored for lifetime and restrictions placed with time of acknowledgement of biological
predisposition to involve in crime especially for murder.
The utility of the biological and cognitive psychological theories can be established as
these theories are more relevance in decision the cases ale and must be referred under the trials in
the court rooms (Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, 2018). This is because this defines
reason for committing murders but law cannot be made on this as this do not provide a legal
implication rather are related with the understanding psychosocial persuasion behind the crime
(Dioso-Villa and et.al., 2016). At present both these theories have been given more importance
with the above discussion it can be stated that these theories significantly help in prevention of
crime through chemical intervention and guiding the behavioural psychology of individuals. For
prevention of the crime different policies and strategies can be formulated for preventing a
person from committing murders. This explanation clearly defines that biological and cognition
related with crimes can be altered with proper guidance thorough policy formation (Walters and
Espelage, 2018).
Both the theories explain the factors that influences and persuades a murder and the same
can be used to change the behaviour. In this context cognitive theory can be more precisely used
to invade the metal power of a person through psychological sessions and talks for not
committing such offence again (Gailliot, and Baumeister, 2018). The genetic trait are difficult to
change but can be stated as impossible. So above explanation can be used to change the prison
and post prison behaviours of a criminal (Firestone and Scholl, 2016). As mentioned above in
this section itself both these theories are being more researched with change in time hence,
reliability is getting more significant on the above explanation as this has been written with
taking references from recent researches in this field (Alavijeh and et.al., 2015).
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The project is reliable but validity cannot be significantly stated as the report has been
prepared with referring different sources and no one can precisely and exactly state the thing
stated in this report, but all the facts are true to for their originality. The matter of this report is
applicable to all the areas including the niche area as well as the mind-set of a person do not
varies with change in the status (ten Brinke, Lee and Carney, 2015). A criminal can commit a
murder as at time with any motive so the expatiation belongs to all categories of the people. The
material referred for this preparation of this report explaining the biological and cognitive of
Murder is taken from all reliable resource (Ardila and Ostrosky 2017). These are the Journal,
articles, books from criminologists and researches and famous authors who are researching in the
filed form quite a long time. With this it can be stated that report can be used to make laws and
validity cannot be established. Other than this, report can be referred to change, persuade and
influences the behaviour of prisoners in positive way, to makes policies and strategies and can be
used to prevent crimes etc.
CONCLUSION
Form the above report it can be concluded that Crime is often initiated with some or other
psychological factors. The murder is not a single time phenomena which occurs out of the blue
rather behind this there are many factors that influence a person to committee a murder. It has
been determined that two of the psychological factors that affect the mental ability murdering as
cognitive and biological. The cognitive has been explained as the intellect and thinking of the
person rather is the one related with genetic, hormonal and neural condition of an individual.
Furthermore, it has been articulated that psychology of a person committing murder get
affected by any factors in the surrounding and which cannot be questioned or justifies and every
person have his/her own reason to murder someone else.
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