AC 2.1 Flashcards
Who was the theorist and researcher of Adoption Studies?
Sarnof Mednick
What did Adoption Studies do and what was its aim?
Compared adopted children to their biological parents and adopted parents (nature v nurture).
The aim was to find out if adopted children share the same criminal outlook as biological or adopted parents
What research was carried out by Mednick for Adoption Studies?
Examined data on 14,000 sons in Denmark, he found a 20% concordance rate for sons having a criminal record if birth parents did, and a concordance rate of only 14.7% if adopted parents had a criminal record. This research supports nature over nurture.
What are some positives of Adoption Studies?
It separates genetics from environmental effects quite well and other studies support the link to adopted children and biological parents.
What are some negatives of Adoption Studies?
The data regarding biological families could be confidential, it only accounts for males and older adopted children may already be influenced by the environment of their biological parents.
Who was the theorist of Twin Studies?
Bent Christiansen
Who was the researcher for Twin Studies?
Johannes Lange
What did Twin Studies do and what was its aim?
Tested identical twins’ theory of criminality.
Monozygotic twins have the same fertilised egg so if 1 twin is criminal, the other should be too.
What research was carried out by Lange for Twin Studies?
Researched 3586 twins in Denmark.
There was a 52% concordance rate for monozygotic twins but only a 22% concordance rate for dzygotic twins.
What are some positives for Twin Studies?
Results of twin studies have helped in the prevention of vulnerable disorders.
Natural experiment due to biological relationship in twins.
What are some negatives for Twin Studies?
Twins brought up together could be affected by nurture rather than nature and the results are too deterministic - the concordance rate for monozygotic should be 100% if this was true.
Who was the theorist for Jacob’s XYY Theory?
Jacob et al
What is Jacob’s XYY Theory?
Some males have an extra XYY chromosome which is known as Supermale Syndrome.
This theory claims abnormal sex chromosomes cause criminality.
What statistics can be shown for Jacob’s XYY Theory?
Higher than average proportion of inmates in psychiatric hospitals were found to have XYY syndrome.
How did Jacob et al describe those with XYY syndrome?
Tall, well built with low intelligence. He also claimed they are more aggressive and violent than others.
What are some positives for Jacob’s XYY Theory?
XYY syndrome was over-represented in prison populations. Further studies suggested that aggressive + violent behaviour is at least partly determined by genetic factors (2007).
What are some negatives for Jacob’s XYY Theory?
The syndrome does not prove it’s the cause of violence/crimes. Ignores environmental factors- marginalisation could affect criminality.
Who was the theorist and researcher for Lombroso’s Born Criminal Theory?
Lombroso
What was Lombroso’s Born Criminal Theory?
It claimed criminals are physically different from non-criminals and can be identified by distinct atavistic features.
Lombroso claimed criminals are savages - impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain and unable to control their behaviour.
What are some examples of atavistic features?
Enormous jaws, long arms, handle-shaped ears and large eye sockets
What research did Lombroso carry out for his Born Criminal Theory?
Researched 383 dead criminals and compared them to 3839 living criminals, looking at their distinct physical features and measuring heads and faces.
He found that 40% of his research had atavistic features.
What is a positive to Lombroso’s Born Criminal Theory?
Lombroso was the first person to study crime scientifically.
What are some negatives to Lombroso’s Born criminal theory?
It’s outdated - almost 150 years old - introduction of different criminals.
Ignored nature - physical features themself do not prove cause of crime.
Who was the Theorist and researcher of Sheldon’s Somatotype theory?
William Sheldon
What did Sheldon’s Somatotype theory claim?
Criminals are different from non-criminals by body shape, and that these somatotype are linked to criminal behaviour. The three were Endomorphs, Ectomorphs and Mesomorphs
How did Sheldon describe Endomorphs?
Rounded, soft and fat.
With sociable, relaxed and out going personalities
How did Sheldon describe Ectomorphs?
Thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle
With conscious, emotionally restrained and thoughtful personalities.
How did Sheldon describe Mesomorphs?
Muscular, hard bodied and strong
With adventurous, thrill-seeking and domineering personalities
What research was carried out by Sheldon for his Somatotype theory?
He researched 4000 photographs of criminals and compared them to college students with no criminal record. He rated them on a scale of 1-7 in regards to mesomorphy, criminals score higher on the scale.
What are some positives to Sheldon’s Somatotype theory?
Other studies’ results were similar, and the most serious delinquents were extremely mesomorphic.
What are some negatives to Sheldon’s Somatotype theory?
Ignores environmental factors and stereotypes people
