AC 3.2 - Effectiveness/Weaknesses Flashcards
What are the Pros of Lombroso’s theory
- First person to take a scientific approach to understanding crime and therefore set the foundation for a more scientific approach to understanding crime
Lombroso labelling prisons as ‘crime universities’ is an idea that is shown to be accurate in modern-day as UK reoffending rates are high
What are the Cons of Lombroso’s theory
Lack of a control group as his study was done in prisons
Not all criminals have Atavistic features vise versa
Extremely deterministic
Goring’s 1913 study found no link between atavistic features and criminality
What are the Pros of Sheldon’s theory
Used a large sample size (200)
Had a control group for comparisons
Gleuck’s 1956 study found that 60% of delinquents in his sample were mesomorphs
What are the Cons of Sheldon’s Theory
Doesn’t explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminals
Peoples body shape changes over time (it isn’t fixed)
Can build stereotypes/typifications within courts and police systems (creating unfair bias)
What are the Pros of Twin Studies
Christiansen’s 1977 study has evidence to show genetic links to criminality
These studies are natural experiments as the relationship between twins is a naturally occurring variable
What are the Cons of Twin Studies
If twins grow up in the same environment then any criminal behavior could be environmentally related and not genetically based
Earlier studies in 1929 from Lange lacked controlled variables and validity as they couldn’t separate MZ or DZ
What are the Pros of Adoption Studies
Adopted children are exposed to different environments and therefore can separate the environmental and genetic factors to see each ones link to criminality
Studies show the correlation between adopted children and their biological parents
Weaknesses of Adoption Studies
Age of adoption may mean that the children where old enough to be influenced by their biological parents pre-adoption
Information about biological family isn’t always available for comparison
Adoption process isn’t always random as sometimes they live with extended family and therefore a environmental influence is still present
Pros of XYY Theory
Examples of criminals/Serial Killers with an extra Y chromosome (eg John Wayne Gacy)
Weaknesses of XYY Theory
Genetic abnormalities are widespread and therefore don’t explain aggression
Heavily deterministic and takes away from behavioral approach
Theiigard’s 1984 study showed that there was no link with increased aggression between men with and extra Y when compared to those without
Pros of Bandura’s Theory
Bobo doll experiment showed a clear effect on the child’s behaviour
The experiment and variables eg. gender, age etc. where all controlled
Study has been replicated with slight changes and similar results have been found
Cons of Bandura’s study
Its a laboritory study if imitation (so low natural validity)
Ethical issues of exposing children to violence and aggression
Novelty aspect, as some children may of never played with the bobo doll before making them more likely to copy the adult
Pros of Freud’s Theory
Psychodynamic theories have contributed to research about crime and behaviour
Cons of Freud’s Theory
Unscientific and lack objective interpretation as Freud knew his patients so he couldn’t be
Unable to test concepts such as the unconscious mind
Lack of quantative data from Freud’s study
Pros of Eyenck’s theory
His research on solders in hospital supported his theory (as the most traumatised soldiers had the highest neurotic score)
If his theory is correct, then criminal behaviour may be detectable in childhood and therefore prevention can be in place early on (reducing crime)
