Biological Perspective to Understand the Case of David Berkowitz
Biological Perspective
The biological perspective traces physiological and neurological developments of an individual to determine whether or not they are capable or predisposed to undertake criminal behaviour. Areas of concern include genetic make-up, brain structures, hormone balance, etc. Although there are no public reports published about the biological constitution of Berkowitz, possible factors that may contribute to his ultimate spiral down a path of crime can be inferred from that which is available.
Genetics
The first possible biological factor is genetics. David Berkowitz was born to Elizabeth Broder and Joseph Klinman. He was born out of an extra-marital affair and given away due to Klinman’s insistent declarations that he would not be involved with the child (Abrahamsen, 1985). It can be assumed that Berkowitz’s problematic behaviour, even as a child, is attributed to genetic inheritance as neither of his parents seemed particularly stable people. Broder had relations with a married child, and even bore his child, showcasing her deviancy. Klinman was aggressive and manipulative in his attempts to ensure that her child had nothing to do with him, and even refused to pay child-support (Abrahamsen, 1985). He was also a willing participant in their extra-marital affair. It is, therefore, likely that Berkowitz inherited these negative traits of aggressiveness, deviancy and deceitfulness from his biological parents.
There was a possibility of him possessing the ‘XYY syndrome’, the existence of an extra Y chromosome, due to the behavioural symptoms (NORD, 2012). The chromosomal disorder is characterised by behavioural problems like impulsivity, hotheadedness, defiant action, violence and hyperactivity, which largely corresponded to the killer’s behaviour. However, this theory can be disapproved as usually males with this disorder grow in height rapidly, reaching at least six feet, and have below-average intelligence; Berkowitz was only five feet and eight inches tall and also displayed above-average intelligence.
Excessive aggressive and violent behaviour can also be attributed to Brunner’s warrior gene, which a mutation in the MAOA gene on the X chromosome consequently leads to lower levels of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. Hence it can act as a predictor for impulsive and reactive action, and not premeditated action (Guy, 2018). Ultimately though, genes themselves cannot determine whether or not an individual will commit a crime. Their environment can act as a trigger, and drive them to take that step. Berkowitz’ past was definitely a troubled one: from his adoptive mother passing away when he was fourteen, to his father remarrying a woman he disliked, finally to him discovering the truth of his birth, rightly called his ‘primary crisis’. It is well within the realm of possibility that his environment enabled his innate predisposition for violence.
Hormones
The second factor is hormonal imbalance. It is possible that Berkowitz’s reported aggressiveness, penchant for violence and difficult nature resulted from the excess of testosterone, the male sex hormone. High blood testosterone levels result in increased aggressiveness and tendency to engage in risky behaviour (Health Harvard Publishing, 2019). It also corresponds to impatience and irritability. Berkowitz' s impulsivity and constant fluctuations in mood can be attributed to this as well.
Neurotransmitters
The third factor is through the neurophysiological perspective. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is primarily responsible for mood and behaviour. It is also known as the calming transmitter, and a lack of it leads to various symptoms, such as emotional sensitivity, mood swings, social withdrawal and increased sex drive (Watson, 2021). It also corresponds to less communication with the emotional centre of the brain, the amygdala, which results in the inability to control emotions and explosive bursts of anger. Berkowitz’s reported hyperactivity and volatile dismissiveness is a possible result of this reduced level of chemical in his brain.
Other Factors
Other possible factors include descriptions from older biological theories. W.H.Sheldon’s theory of constitution, that determines personality based on body type, provides that Berkowitz falls under the mesomorphic category. He was reported to have a big, muscular build when growing up in the neighbourhood. Acquaintances noted that he was constantly volatile, insensitive and aggressive, so most of them stayed clear from him, further confirming Sheldon’s assessments (Nickerson, 2022).
The biological perspective is usually descriptive and distinct in its results, however, without actual available evidence on David Berkowitz’s biological systems, it is only possible to infer factors that could have led to his killings.
References
Abrahamsen, D. (1985). Confessions of Son of Sam. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-05760-1.
Gajic, D. (2017). Forensic Psychology. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: https://www.simplypsychology.org/a-level-forensic.html#3
Guy, F. (2018, July 7). The Warrior Gene: Genetics and Criminology. Retrieved from Crime Traveller: https://www.crimetraveller.org/2016/04/the-warrior-gene/
Health Harvard Publishing. (2019, August 29). Testosterone — What It Does And Doesn't Do . Retrieved from Health Harvard Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/drugs-and-medications/testosterone--what-it-does-and-doesnt-do
Nickerson, C. (2022, Jan 23). Sheldon's Constitutional Theory: Somatotyping . Simply Psychology. Retrieved from Simply Psychology: www.simplypsychology.org/sheldon-constitutional-theory-somatotyping
NORD. (2012). XYY Syndrome. Retrieved from NORD(National Organisation for Rare Disorders): https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/xyy-syndrome/
Watson, S. (2021, July 20). Serotonin: The natural mood booster. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/serotonin-the-natural-mood-booster
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