2.1 - Describe biological theories of criminality

Question 1

What is meant by biological theories?

Answer 1

Criminals are biologically different from non-criminals and this difference causes them to commit crime.

Question 2

GENETIC THEORIES
What is meant by genetic theories of criminality?

Answer 2

Family members share many of the same genes, therefore, if one family member has criminal genes it is likely that his or her blood relatives will have them too.

Question 3

GENETIC THEORIES
Identify what is meant by the term twin studies?

Answer 3

Identical or monozygotic twins share the same genes as they both developed from the same fertilised egg meaning if one twin is criminal, the other should be too.

Question 4

GENETIC THEORIES
What was Christiansen’s study?

(twin studies)

Answer 4

They studied 3,586 twin pairs in Denmark.

Question 5

GENETIC THEORIES
What did Christiansen’s study conclude?

(twin studies)

Answer 5

• 52% concordance rate between MZ twins - where 1 twin was criminal there was 52% chance the other would also have a conviction.
• 22% concordance rate between non-identical or DZ twins.

Question 6

GENETIC THEORIES
What was found by Ishikawa and Raine’s study?

(twin studies)

Answer 6

• 44% concordance rate between MZ twins.
• 21.6% concordance rate between DZ twins.

Question 7

GWNETIC THEORIES
What is meant by the term adoption studies?

Answer 7

These studies compare adopted children both to their biological birth parents and their adoptive parents.

Question 8

GENETIC THEORIES
What did Mednik et al study?

(adoption studies)

Answer 8

14,000 adopted sons in Denmark between 1924 and 1947.

Question 9

GENETIC THEORIES
What did Mednik et al study find?

(adoption studies)

Answer 9

That sons were more likely to have a criminal record if a birth parent also did.

Concordance rate:
20% - adopted child and birth parent
14.7% - adopted child and adoptive parent.

Question 10

GENETIC THEORIES
What is the XYY Syndrome?

(XYY study)

Answer 10

Males inherit an extra Y chromosome

Question 11

GENETIC THEORIES
What is the XYY Syndrome also known as?

(XYY study)

Answer 11

Super male syndrome

Question 12

GENETIC THEORIES
According to Jacob et al, what characteristics do males with XYY syndrome have?

(XYY study)

Answer 12

More aggressive, very tall, low intelligence, violent.

Question 13

GENETIC THEORIES
What is the correlation of XYY Syndrome and prison statistics?

(XYY study)

Answer 13

Studies suggest XYY men are over-represented in prisons with 15/1000 inmates suffering from the abnormality.

Question 14

GENETIC THEORIES
Give an example of a serial killer with XYY Syndrome?

(XYY study)

Answer 14

John Wayne Gacy

Question 15

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What are physiological theories?

Answer 15

These theories focus on a persons physical form as an indicator of criminality. They suggest that physical features of criminals differ from those of non-criminals.

Question 16

PHYSCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What was Lombroso’s theory known as?

Answer 16

Born criminals

Question 17

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What does Lombroso’s theory state?

Answer 17

Physical features of criminals differ from those of non-criminals

Question 18

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What was Lombroso’s study and what did it conclude?

Answer 18

It measured and recorded details of heads and faces of prisoners.

Criminals can be identified through distinctive physical features.

Question 19

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What were the distinctive physical features Lombroso’s study stated criminals had?

Answer 19

Enormous jaws, high cheek bones, large eye sockets, acute eye sight.

Question 20

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What does the term atavistic mean? (Lombroso)

Answer 20

Criminals and humans are seen as a different species. Criminals are pre-social and unable to control impulses and have reduced sensitivity to pain.

Question 21

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
According to Lombroso, different types of criminals had different types of facial features. What were the facial features or murderers, thieves and sex offenders?

Answer 21

Murderers - aquiline noses, bloodshot eyes and curly hair.

Thieves - flattened noses

Sex offenders - thick lips and protruding ears.

Question 22

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What was Lombroso’s study that clarified his idea of criminals being atavistic?

Answer 22

He studied 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones. He concluded that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics.

Question 23

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What was Sheldon’s over all theory?

Answer 23

Certain body types are linked to criminal behaviour (somatotypes)

Question 24

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
What are the three somatotypes according to Sheldon?

Answer 24

Endomorphs, mesomorphs, ectomorphs

Question 25

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES What did Sheldon study?

Answer 25

Examination of photographs of 4,000 scantily clothed men taken from back, front and side.

Question 26

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES According to Sheldon, what are ectomorphs?

Answer 26

Thin, fragile, lack of fat and muscle. Thin face, high forehead, self conscious, fragile

Question 27

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES According to Sheldon, what are endomorphs?

Answer 27

Rounded soft tending to be fat, lack muscle or tone, comfortable and out going, sociable and relaxed

Question 28

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES According to Sheldon, what are mesomorphs?

Answer 28

Muscular hard bodies, strong limbs, very little fat, adventurous, domineering and assertive.

Question 29

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES According to Sheldon, what somatotype are most likely to be criminals and why?

Answer 29

Mesomorphs because they are attracted to the risk-taking behaviour it involves.

Question 30

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES How do brain abnormalities contribute to criminal behaviour?

Answer 30

Studies suggest damage to the pre-frontal cortex may cause individuals to have an altered brain pattern - becoming more immature and loss of self control.

Question 31

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES What did Raine et al study and find regarding brain abnormalities?

Answer 31

PET scans - study living criminals and impulse prisoners (damage was found to the pre-frontal cortex)

Question 32

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES Who is an example of Brain abnormalities?

Answer 32

Phineas Gage

Question 33

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES How are biochemical substances and processes a reason for criminality?

Answer 33

They have been suggest as possible causes of criminal behaviour because of their effect on brain chemistry and mental processes

Question 34

PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES