Psychology discussion/assignment

Week4_Assignment14.pdf

GENETIC AND BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

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.

Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.

1. To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK4Assgn_LastName_Firstinitial

2. Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page. 3. Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

BY DAY 7

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

10/20/26, 3:02 PM Week 4: Assignment

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/assignments/3611955#submit 1/4

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/modules/items/10868059

CRJS_4102_Week4_Assignment_Rubric

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10/20/26, 3:02 PM Week 4: Assignment

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Criteria Ratings Pts

Explain how genetics accounts for the criminal behavior in the case study.

30 pts

Explain how biology accounts for the criminal behavior in the case study.

30 pts

Explain how social, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological factors interact with genetic and biological factors to create a cumulative effect on the criminal behavior in the case study.

35 pts

Format and writing

18 pts

30 to >26.0 pts Exemplary (Exceeds expectations) This component is fully addressed and logically presented.

26 to >20.0 pts Proficient (Meets expectations) This component is addressed. Further development would strengthen this component.

20 to >0 pts Developing (Does not fully meet expectations) This component is not present or not clearly addressed.

30 to >26.0 pts Exemplary (Exceeds expectations) This component is fully addressed and logically presented.

26 to >20.0 pts Proficient (Meets expectations) This component is addressed. Further development would strengthen this component.

20 to >0 pts Developing (Does not fully meet expectations) This component is not present or not clearly addressed.

35 to >30.0 pts Exemplary (Exceeds expectations) This component is fully addressed and logically presented.

30 to >24.0 pts Proficient (Meets expectations) This component is addressed. Further development would strengthen this component.

24 to >0 pts Developing (Does not fully meet expectations) This component is not present or not clearly addressed.

18 to >15.6 pts Exemplary (Exceeds expectations) Any spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation

15.6 to >12.0 pts Proficient (Meets expectations) Submission contains few spelling, grammar, and/or

12 to >0 pts Developing (Does not fully meet expectations) Submission contains multiple spelling, grammar,

10/20/26, 3:02 PM Week 4: Assignment

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/assignments/3611955#submit 3/4

Criteria Ratings Pts

Timeliness

12 pts

Total Points: 125

deviations from Standard Academic English are minor and do not affect clear communication. Communication demonstrates discipline- specific conventions, such as stylistic choices appropriate to an academic audience. Work includes multiple explicit mentions of concepts or ideas from the required sources correctly cited and formatted if specified by the assignment/discussion. A reference page is included and properly formatted.

punctuation deviations from Standard Academic English, OR these deviations do not affect clear communication. Work includes one or more explicit mentions of a concept or idea from the required sources if specified by the assignment/discussion’s directions and an attempt at citing the source has been made. A reference page is included.

and/or punctuation deviations from Standard Academic English, affecting clear communication. Work does not include any explicit mention of concepts or ideas from the required sources, OR it contains one or more explicit mention of a concept or idea from the required sources, if specified by the assignment/discussion’s directions, but without any attempt at citing the source. A reference page is not included.

12 to >10.0 pts Exemplary (Exceeds expectations) The assignment is submitted according to posted due dates and times or late with prior consent from the instructor.

10 to >8.0 pts Proficient (Meets expectations) The assignment is submitted within the allowed time.

8 to >0 pts Developing (Does not fully meet expectations) The assignment is not submitted on time.

10/20/26, 3:02 PM Week 4: Assignment

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/assignments/3611955#submit 4/4

Topic_Week4_Discussion15.pdf

BIOLOGY AND CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

Advancements in neuroscience have provided a better understanding of how the brain works and how specific genes influence behavior. For example, we now know that the part of the brain responsible for judgment and decision making, called the prefrontal cortex, is not fully developed in teenagers. This may explain why some teenagers pursue risk without fear and struggle to make sound decisions. Neuroscientists have also identified specific genes that may be linked to criminal behavior. Criminal defense lawyers have attempted to capitalize on these advancements, arguing that clients who are biologically or genetically predisposed to crime should be less criminally responsible and receive lighter sentences than those who are not predisposed.

In this Discussion, you explore this controversial topic in more detail.

Post a response that addresses the following:

To what degree do genetic and biological factors lessen or exempt a criminal offender’s responsibility? Should some genetic and/or biological factors qualify offenders for lighter sentences compared to other genetic and/or biological factors? Why or why not?

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

BY DAY 3

BY DAY 5

10/20/26, 3:01 PM Topic: Week 4: Discussion

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/discussion_topics/3907225?module_item_id=10868048 1/2

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/modules/items/10868059

Respond to at least two colleagues:

Choose a response that is different from your own. Respectfully agree or disagree with their argument regarding the extent to which genetic and biological factors limit criminal responsibility.

10/20/26, 3:01 PM Topic: Week 4: Discussion

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/discussion_topics/3907225?module_item_id=10868048 2/2