AC2.1 AND AC3.1

Question 1

What is the XYY syndrome commonly referred to as?

Answer 1

‘Super males’

Males with XYY are often characterized by certain behavioral tendencies.

Question 2

What behavioral traits are associated with males who have XYY?

Answer 2

• More aggressive and violent
• Explosive temper
• Hyperactivity
• Defiance
• Anti-social behavior

These traits are often highlighted in studies related to XYY syndrome.

Question 3

Which infamous individual was speculated to have XYY syndrome?

Answer 3

John Wayne Gacy

Gacy was a notorious serial killer, and speculation about his genetic makeup has been discussed in relation to XYY.

Question 4

What did Jacobs et al (1965) find regarding XYY and criminality?

Answer 4

A significant number of men in prison had XYY

The study suggested a link between XYY syndrome and violent crime, including property damage.

Question 5

What is a major weakness of the research surrounding XYY syndrome?

Answer 5

Biased sample

Most research has been conducted in prisons and mental health institutes, which may not represent the general population.

Question 6

How common is XYY syndrome in the general population?

Answer 6

1 in 1000

The rarity of XYY syndrome makes it difficult to establish strong links to criminality.

Question 7

True or False: XYY syndrome is linked to increased rates of property damage.

Answer 7

True

Research indicates a correlation between XYY and violent behavior, including property damage.

Question 8

What is the main idea behind twin studies in biological theories?

Answer 8

If one twin is a criminal, the other twin is more likely to be a criminal.

Question 9

What was the concordance rate for monozygotic twins found by Christiansen in 1977?

Answer 9

52% of monozygotic twins were both criminal.

Question 10

What was the concordance rate for dizygotic twins found by Christiansen in 1977?

Answer 10

21% of dizygotic twins were both criminal.

Question 11

What is a strength of twin studies in relation to crime?

Answer 11

Provides some support for genetic explanation of crime.

Question 12

What type of research do twin studies represent?

Answer 12

Natural experiments.

Question 13

What is a potential weakness of twin studies regarding environment?

Answer 13

Twins share the same environment, which could influence outcomes.

Question 14

If genetic factors were solely responsible for criminality, what would the concordance rate be?

Answer 14

100%.

Question 15

What is a noted limitation of Christiansen’s twin study?

Answer 15

Small sample size.

Question 16

What do adoption studies examine in relation to criminal behavior?

Answer 16

The impact of nature versus nurture on individuals raised by adoptive parents.

Question 17

What supports the nature theory in adoption studies?

Answer 17

If the genetic parents are criminal and the child becomes a criminal.

Question 18

What supports the nurture theory in adoption studies?

Answer 18

If the adoptive parents are criminal and the child becomes a criminal.

Question 19

What was the focus of Hutchings and Mednick’s 1975 study?

Answer 19

They studied 14,000 adopted children and found a high proportion of boys with criminal convictions had biological parents with convictions.

Question 20

What is a strength of adoption studies?

Answer 20

There is a statistical correlation between genes and criminality.

Question 21

What is a key weakness of adoption studies?

Answer 21

They cannot provide evidence whether it is genes or socialization that influences criminality.

Question 22

True or False: Correlation between genes and criminality is conclusive.

Answer 22

False.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Adoption studies look at the impact of _______ or nurture.

Answer 23

[nature]

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Hutchings and Mednick studied _______ adopted children.

Answer 24

[14,000]

Question 25

Who believed that criminals were a separate species and primitive?

Answer 25

Lombroso ## Footnote Lombroso was a pioneer in the study of criminal behavior.

Question 26

What did Lombroso believe determined criminality?

Answer 26

'Atavistic' traits like high cheekbones, large ears, and low forehead ## Footnote Atavistic traits refer to physical characteristics thought to be evolutionary throwbacks.

Question 27

What was one strength of Lombroso's theories?

Answer 27

First person to study criminal behaviour ## Footnote He challenged the notion that criminals are inherently evil.

Question 28

What was one weakness of Lombroso's research?

Answer 28

Did not have a control group to compare findings with ## Footnote The absence of a control group raises questions about the validity of his conclusions.

Question 29

What evidence did Lombroso provide for his idea of atavistic characteristics?

Answer 29

No evidence ## Footnote His claims lacked scientific support and were often criticized.

Question 30

True or False: Lombroso's claims about physical attributes leading to criminality are generally supported.

Answer 30

False ## Footnote His assertions about specific physical traits correlating with criminal behavior have not been validated.

Question 31

What is the main link proposed by Sheldon regarding criminality?

Answer 31

Criminality was linked to physical body types.

Question 32

How many somatotypes did Sheldon identify?

Answer 32

Three somatotypes: mesomorphs, endomorphs, and ectomorphs.

Question 33

What characteristics are associated with mesomorphs?

Answer 33

Aggressive, adventurous, and muscular.

Question 34

Which somatotype is most likely to commit crime according to Sheldon?

Answer 34

Mesomorphs.

Question 35

Describe the characteristics of endomorphs.

Answer 35

Round, sociable, and jolly.

Question 36

What are the traits of ectomorphs?

Answer 36

Small, introverted, and fragile.

Question 37

What is one strength of Sheldon's study?

Answer 37

Other studies supported his study to some extent.

Question 38

What association did Sheldon find between bodily build and crime?

Answer 38

Criminals were mainly mesomorphs.

Question 39

What is a key weakness of Sheldon's study?

Answer 39

It did not include women.

Question 40

What aspect of body build did Sheldon ignore in his study?

Answer 40

That someone's body build can change.

Question 41

What does Sheldon's study fail to explain?

Answer 41

Why endomorphs and ectomorphs commit crime.

Question 42

What is the main theory regarding brain injuries and criminality?

Answer 42

Brain injuries may cause criminality or may occur as a result of criminality ## Footnote This suggests a bidirectional relationship between brain injuries and criminal behavior.

Question 43

Who is Phineas Gage and why is he significant in the study of brain abnormalities?

Answer 43

Phineas Gage was a man who had a pole impaled in his frontal lobe, which dramatically changed his personality and resulted in anti-social behavior ## Footnote His case is often cited as evidence of the link between brain structure and personality.

Question 44

What correlation has been observed related to abnormal brain scans?

Answer 44

There is a correlation between abnormal brain scans and psychopathic behavior ## Footnote This suggests that structural brain differences may be associated with certain antisocial traits.

Question 45

Are prisoners more likely to have brain injuries?

Answer 45

Yes, prisoners are more likely to have brain injuries ## Footnote This observation supports the hypothesis that there may be a link between brain health and criminal behavior.

Question 46

What is a significant weakness of the theory linking brain injuries to criminality?

Answer 46

It is unclear whether brain injuries cause criminality or are a result of it ## Footnote This ambiguity complicates the interpretation of research findings.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: Cases of brain injuries 'causing' crime are _______.

Answer 47

rare ## Footnote This indicates that while some correlations exist, direct causation is not commonly observed.

Question 48

What role do biochemical substances play in criminal behavior according to Biological Theories?

Answer 48

They affect brain chemistry and mental processes ## Footnote Biochemical theories suggest that alterations in brain chemistry can lead to changes in behavior, potentially contributing to criminal actions.

Question 49

What did Scerbo and Raine (1993) find in their meta-analysis of anti-social adults and children?

Answer 49

They all had low serotonin levels ## Footnote The meta-analysis included 29 studies that indicated a correlation between low serotonin and anti-social behavior.

Question 50

What is a strength of the biochemical approach to understanding criminal behavior?

Answer 50

Chemicals can be measured scientifically ## Footnote This allows for quantification of their effects on behavior and identification of correlations.

Question 51

What correlation was identified regarding testosterone and offending behavior?

Answer 51

There is a relationship between testosterone and offending behavior in males ## Footnote Higher levels of testosterone have been linked to increased aggression and criminality.

Question 52

What is a weakness of biochemical theories in explaining criminal behavior?

Answer 52

Biochemical processes may require an environmental trigger ## Footnote This suggests that not all individuals with biochemical imbalances will engage in criminal behavior without external factors.

Question 53

What did Scarmella & Brown find regarding testosterone levels and violence in most men?

Answer 53

Testosterone levels do not greatly affect violence levels ## Footnote Their findings challenge the direct link between testosterone and aggressive behavior.