Biological Sex Violence the Role

Biological Sex Violence

The Role of Biological Sex Differences in Violence

Biological differences in men and women have been linked to predispositions towards or away from criminal activities. Hormone differences are one area in which there are significant differences between the genders. Men generally have more testosterone while women have more estrogen. Testosterone has been correlated with aggressive and competitive behavior. This has led researchers to look for links in the amount of testosterone and level of criminality found in some criminals. Some studies have shown that high levels of testosterone have been linked to criminal behavior. However, some have shown that there is only a moderate link and therefore there will have to be more research conducted to determine whether or not high testosterone can be a good predictor of criminal behaviors.

Men are not alone in hormones having implications for their behavior. Studies have also shown that women are more likely to commit crimes during their premenstrual cycle (PMS). During PMS women high levels of hormones that make them more "male-like" which is a state brought on by low levels of estrogen coupled with higher levels of progesterone. One study showed that females who were incarcerated for violent offenses consisted of a high proportion of women who committed the violent acts during their premenstrual period. Therefore, both sexes can be vulnerable to a predisposition of aggression based on their hormonal makeup.

The presence of testosterone develops early in males but expands rapidly during adolescence. This produces a more competitive and aggressive individual that is more likely to engage in risk taking behavior. This can also create lower sensitivity to pain, an enhanced seeking of sensory stimulation, and a right-hemisphere shift in dominance in the brain which is linked to higher levels of spatial aptitude but lower levels of reasoning and empathy (Wright, Tibbetts, & Daigle, 2008). Therefore, the presence of high levels of testosterone is often thought to be one of the most influential hormones on criminal behavior and would explain why men are disproportionately involved in more criminal behaviors than women.

Other hormones have also been linked to criminal behaviors as well. For example, low levels of a hormone, known as cortisol, have been linked to offenders that have shown patterns of chronic offending. The reduced amount of cortisol has been shown to decrease anxiety levels. An individual who does not feel any anxiety may be more likely to commit crimes because they would be less likely to let their anxiety about committing a crime stop them before the crime is actually committed. Therefore feeling anxiety towards committing a crime could stop an individual from committing it, however if a person doesn't have anxiety due to low cortisol levels then the body does not have this natural response to anxiety filled situations.