Analyzing Risk Factors and Treatment Approaches
Part 1:
(a) Identification of the theoretical perspective of the extract
The extract is based on a biological and psychological theoretical framework. The excerpt underlines the risk of antisocial and criminal behaviour in adults for children who demonstrate antisocial behaviour from a young age and underscores the significance of knowing risk factors that predict persistent antisocial behaviour. The focus placed on the risk factor of callous-unemotional features raises the possibility that biological variables, such as heredity, may contribute to the emergence of antisocial behaviour (Flood, 2019). The possibility of pharmaceutical therapies is also mentioned, which lends credence to the biological viewpoint by indicating that the emergence of antisocial behaviour may have a physiological basis that may be managed with medicine.
However, the excerpt also recognises the significance of environmental variables, arguing that environmental initiatives would be aided by a greater understanding of the risk factors. This emphasises the value of a psychological viewpoint since contextual elements including early experiences, family relationships, and financial position can also greatly impact how antisocial behaviour develops.
Overall, the extract raises the possibility that both biological and psychological factors play a role in the emergence of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour and emphasises the significance of taking into account both viewpoints to comprehend the behaviour and create successful interventions (Lussier, and McCuish, 2020). Since it implies that antisocial behaviour is the outcome of emotional or psychological disturbance, the emphasis on treating antisocial behaviour as a mental health condition is also consistent with a psychological viewpoint.
(b) Explanation of which theoretical perspective the extract represents
The extract backs up a theoretical framework that combines biological and psychological viewpoints to explain how persistent antisocial behaviour develops throughout a person's life.
- Emphasis on risk factors: The extract emphasises the significance of comprehending risk factors, such as callous-unemotional qualities, that foretell chronic antisocial behaviour. The inclusion of these characteristics raises the possibility that biological variables, including heredity, may contribute to the emergence of antisocial behaviour. This fits with a scientific viewpoint that highlights how genetics, physiology, and brain function play a part in how behaviour develops (Fagan, 2021).
- Focus on pharmacological interventions: A biological viewpoint is supported by the mention of the possibility of pharmacological therapies to treat antisocial behaviour since it implies that the emergence of antisocial behaviour may have a physiological component that may be managed with medicine.
- Consideration of environmental factors: The excerpt acknowledges the significance of environmental elements and implies that a greater understanding of the risk factors will aid environmental solutions (Eme, 2020). This emphasises the value of a psychological viewpoint since contextual elements including early experiences, family relationships, and financial position can also greatly impact how antisocial behaviour develops.
- Treatment of antisocial behaviour as a mental health problem: From a psychological standpoint, treating antisocial behaviour as a mental health condition makes sense since it implies that antisocial behaviour is the outcome of an emotional or psychological disturbance.
It is evident from the data mentioned above that the extract combines biological and psychological viewpoints. In addition to this, the excerpt makes the case that both biological and psychological variables play a role in the emergence of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour and emphasises the need to take into account both viewpoints to comprehend the behaviour and create successful therapies.
Part 2:
(a) The potential strengths and weaknesses of the theoretical perspective identified in part 1
Strengths
Theoretically, understanding the emergence of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour by fusing biological and psychological variables provides several potential benefits.
- Integration of multiple factors: Together, the biological and psychological approaches can provide us with a more complete picture of how antisocial behaviour arises. As per the point of view of Heslop and Parker, (2020), this approach acknowledges that antisocial behaviour is the consequence of a complex interaction of various elements, rather than a single cause, by taking into account both biological and psychological components. This makes it possible to comprehend the behaviour more precisely and nuancedly and makes it easier to pinpoint relevant risk factors and intervention targets.
- Consideration of genetic and physiological factors: The biological point of view offers a foundation for thinking about how genetic and physiological variables contribute to the emergence of antisocial behaviour. This is crucial because genetic and physiological variables can influence how behaviour develops and shed light on potential underlying processes. For instance, studies have suggested that some genetic differences may be linked to the emergence of antisocial behaviour and that modifications to the structure and function of the brain may also be involved.
- Recognition of environmental influences: According to the psychological viewpoint, socioeconomic position, family dynamics, and early life experiences all have a significant impact on the emergence of antisocial behaviour. This is crucial since the environment may significantly influence behaviour development and offer intervention targets (Goldstein et al. 2023). For instance, data shows that exposure to traumatic situations and mistreatment throughout childhood may raise the likelihood of becoming antisocial.
- Focus on treatment: To treat antisocial behaviour, pharmaceutical and environmental treatments can be taken into consideration using the integrated viewpoint. This strategy enables the creation of thorough and efficient therapies that focus on the underlying causes and symptoms of the behaviour by acknowledging the possible roles of biological and psychological components. As opined by Boisvert (2021), environmental treatments may improve social and family dynamics to lower risk factors while pharmaceutical therapies may target the physiological mechanisms underlying antisocial behaviour.
Weakness
The theoretical approach that combines biological and psychological variables to comprehend the emergence of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour has several potential positives, but it also has several flaws that should be noted.
- Over-reliance on biological factors: This method has the drawback of potentially overemphasising biological aspects over other crucial aspects, such as genetics and brain shape. This might result in a reductionist perspective on antisocial behaviour, where the behaviour is perceived as being completely influenced by genetics rather than by various causes (Geoffrey, and Schoeman, 2020). This may also lead to a disregard for the crucial influence that environmental factors like early experiences and family dynamics played in shaping a person's behaviour.
- Lack of consideration of cultural factors: This potential of the strategy to overlook the crucial role that cultural variables play in determining antisocial behaviour is another flaw. To have complete knowledge of the behaviour, culture should not be disregarded as it may substantially impact attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours associated with antisocial behaviour.
- Limitations of biological interventions: Another flaw in this strategy is that biological interventions, such as pharmaceutical therapies, could not work for everyone and might have unforeseen adverse effects. According to the point of view of Lussier and McCuish (2020), pharmacological treatments may also only temporarily alleviate symptoms of antisocial behaviour while failing to address its root causes. This emphasises how crucial it is to take into account both biological and psychological therapies when treating antisocial behaviour.
- Lack of focus on prevention: Another flaw in this strategy is that it can put more emphasis on antisocial behaviour therapy than on antisocial behaviour prevention. As a result, there may be a tendency to take a reactive rather than proactive strategy, addressing antisocial behaviour only after it has already taken place. This emphasises how crucial it is to take into account both preventive and treatment measures in a thorough analysis of antisocial behaviour.
- Lack of agreement on definitions and measures: As per the point pf view of Lugo, (2020), another flaw with this strategy is that it may be difficult to adequately identify and characterise the behaviour since there may not be consensus on definitions and metrics for antisocial behaviour. This emphasises how crucial it is for definitions and measurements in the area to be uniform and consistent to guarantee accurate and consistent comprehension and assessment of antisocial behaviour.
Theoretically, understanding the emergence of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour by fusing biological and psychological components offers both benefits and disadvantages. The advantages of this method include its potential to guide both pharmaceutical and environmental therapies, its capacity to give a thorough and complete explanation of the behaviour, and its consideration of the roles of both hereditary and environmental variables.
In addition to this, it is important to note this strategy's shortcomings as well. The limitations of biological therapies, the over-reliance on biological variables, the neglect of cultural influences, the lack of emphasis on prevention, and the lack of consensus on definitions and metrics are a few of these. For a thorough and impartial knowledge of antisocial behaviour, it is crucial to be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of this method. The potential of this method to provide efficient treatment and prevention efforts may be maximised by knowing its strengths. By being aware of the flaws, we can work to overcome them and make sure that other crucial elements like cultural and environmental influences are not forgotten.
In addition to this, to ensure a thorough and successful approach to addressing this complex and challenging behaviour, it is essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the theoretical perspective of combining biological and psychological factors in understanding the development of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour.
References
Boisvert, D.L., 2021. Biosocial factors and their influence on desistance. Desistance From Crime, p.41.
Eme, R., 2020. Life course persistent antisocial behavior silver anniversary. Aggression and violent behavior, 50, p.101344.
Fagan, A.A., 2021. Developmental prevention programs intended to change peer risk and protective factors: A review of the evaluation literature. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 7, pp.87-111.
Flood, J., 2019. What measures can be put in place to prevent juvenile offenders from becoming life-course-persistent offenders?. Methodology, 15, p.21.
Geoffrey, L. and Schoeman, M., 2020. A theoretical analysis of the nexus between criminal behaviour and psychiatric disorders in children. Child Abuse Research in South Africa, 21(2), pp.11-25.
Goldstein, S.E., Terranova, A.M., Savoy, S.C., Bradley, S., Park, J. and Boxer, P., 2023. Developmental issues in the prevention of aggression and violence in school. In School Violence and Primary Prevention (pp. 65-99). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Heslop, R. and Parker, J., 2020. Developmental and life course criminology. Human Growth and Development in Children and Young People: Theoretical and Practice Perspectives, p.171.
Lugo, M., 2020. The Intersection of Developmental and Life-Course (DLC) Perspectives and Corrections: Viewing the Prison Experience as a Turning Point (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati).
Lussier, P. and McCuish, E., 2020. A Developmental Life‐Course View of Sexual Offending: Taking Stock of Research on the Life‐Course Development of Antisocial and Criminal Behavior. The Wiley handbook of what works with sexual offenders: Contemporary perspectives in theory, assessment, treatment, and prevention, pp.39-70.
Lussier, P. and McCuish, E., 2020. of Sexual Offending: Taking Stock of Research on the Life‐Course Development of Antisocial and Criminal Behavior. The Wiley Handbook of What Works with Sexual Offenders: Contemporary Perspectives in Theory, Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention, p.39.
