What is biopsychosocial criminology?

Biopsychosocial criminology is a multidisciplinary perspective that attempts to understand criminal behavior (and related outcomes, like antisocial behavior and its consequences) by considering the interactions between biological (e.g., genetics, hormones, physiology, brain structure/functioning), psychological, and sociological factors.

Purpose​ of the DBC:

Established in 2017, the Division of BioPsychoSocial Criminology (DBC) was created with four key objectives:

​A. To advance understanding and knowledge amongst criminologists on the interface between social science, psychological science, and biological science in the etiology and treatment of antisocial and criminal behavior.

​B. To bring biological, psychological, and social researchers together to help develop a more interdisciplinary research on the intersection of social, psychological, and biological influences on criminal behavior, and to develop new theoretical perspectives on crime.

​C. To facilitate interactions with other groups outside of ASC.

​D. To better promote and organize symposia at ASC on biopsychosocial criminology, and to enhance the intellectual quality of these sessions.

​History of the DBC:

Origin. The Division of Biopsychosocial Criminology had its origins in a workshop held at ASC’s Annual Meeting at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, November 16th, 2016 from 11 am to 12:20 pm. It was attended by 36 individuals, and after a lively discussion there was strong enthusiasm for moving forward with the creation of this division.

​Petition and Formation of the DBC. On April 10th, 2017, Drs. Adrian Raine and David Farrington petitioned members of the ASC Executive Board for the creation of the Division on behalf of members who had signed a petition for its creation. The ASC Executive Board met in the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia, PA and approved the petition on Friday, April 28th, 2017, with Biopsychosocial Criminology becoming the 13th division created by ASC. The first announcement of the Division’s creation was made to ASC Division Heads on May 1st, 2017. A big “thank you” to the ASC-approved signatories (i.e., full members) that supported the formation of the DBC! In addition to the support of full members, the petition for the formation of the DBC also included strong student support – many thanks to them as well! All signatories are listed in the table below.