AC2.1 Biological Theories

Question 1

What is Lombroso’s theory called?

Answer 1

Lombroso’s atavistic form theory

Question 2

Does Lombroso believe in nature or nurture?

Answer 2

Nature - certain characteristics that could mark man as born criminal

Question 3

Name 4 characteristics that Lombroso links specifically to criminality

Answer 3

1. Thin ‘reedy’ lips (Fraud)
2. Bloodshot eyes, curly hair, long ears (murderers)
3. Projecting ears, glinting eyes (sexual deviants)
4. Canine teeth

Question 4

How many of Lombroso’s characteristics do men have to have to be marked a born criminal?

Answer 4

5+

Question 5

How many of Lombroso’s characteristics do women have to have to be marked a born criminal?

Answer 5

3+

Question 6

What does Lombroso believe that born criminals are?

Answer 6

Throwback to an earlier stage of human evolution

Physical makeup, metal capabilities, + instincts of primitive man

Question 7

What are the 3 thing that Lombroso portrayed a normal women as being?

Answer 7

1. A good mother
2. Sexually passive
3. Monogamous

Question 8

How did Lombroso show that women are inferior?

Answer 8

Biological data
Smaller size of average female brain + body
Demonstrate intellectual inferiority of women

Question 9

Why are women prostitutes according to Lombroso?

Answer 9

Inherited deviant nature (rather than poverty)

Question 10

What are the 7 characteristics of a prostitute that Lombroso ID?

Answer 10

1. Limited cranial capacity
2. Narrow foreheads
3. Prominent cheekbones
4. Short
5. Excessive-weight
6. Left-handedness
7. Prehensile feet (ability to grasp like hand)

Question 11

What are the 4 criticisms of Lombroso’s work?

Answer 11

1. Scientific racism
2. Over emphasising biology, ignores social causes
3. No control group, only those who got caught
4. Gender divide

Question 12

How has Lombroso’s work been criticised for being scientifically racist?

Answer 12

Matt Delsi (2012) draws attention to the distinct racial undertones with Lombroso's work
Criminal + atavistic features (curly hair, dark skin) = more likely found among people of African descent

Question 13

What are some of the social factors that Lombroso ignores?

Answer 13

1. Poverty
2. Low education levels
3. Diet

ALL could influence physical characteristics linked to criminality
However, did later modify his work: ‘various environmental factors also influence criminal beh’

Question 14

What is a problem with Lombroso not using a control group?

Answer 14

Only looked at criminals

Therefore don’t know how common criminal features = in people who aren’t criminals

Question 15

Is there a gender divide in Lombroso’s work?

Answer 15

YES!
Infers females = inherently weak/ immoral
(they only need 3+ of the characteristics)

Question 16

Who devised the theory of somatotypes?

Answer 16

Sheldon in the 1940s

Question 17

What does the theory of somatotypes do?

Answer 17

Developed as a way to catagorise human physique

Question 18

What does Sheldon’s constitutional theory attempt to do?

Answer 18

Attempted to associate somatotypes with human temperament types
Now a neglected theory

Question 19

What are the 3 somatotypes that Sheldon identified?

Answer 19

1. Ectomorphic
2. Mesomorphic
3. Endomorphic

Question 20

What are the 5 characteristics of the mesomorphic somatotypes?
*****

Answer 20

1. Athletic build
2. Well developed muscles
3. Inclined towards risk-taking
4. Assertive
5. Dominant

Question 21

What somatotype are criminals most likely to have?

Answer 21

Mesomorph

- also the most desirable

Question 22

How did Sheldon support his theory?

Answer 22

Assessed somatotype of samples of college students + delinquents from photographs
Each photo = rated for mesomorphy on scale of 1 (low) - 7 (high)
Found delinquents had higher mean mesomorphy rating than college students (4.6 v 3.8)
Supporting link between body type + criminality

Re-analysis by Hartl et al (1982)

Question 23

Who conducted re-anaylisis of Sheldon’s work?

Answer 23

Hartl et al (1982)

Question 24

What did Hartl et al (1982) find when they re-analysed Sheldon’s work?

Answer 24

Most serious delinquents of Sheldon’s sample had a mean mesomorphy rating of 5
Adding further support theory

Question 25

Was there a research bias in Sheldon's work?

Answer 25

Yes Internal methodology has been discounted as subjective however, = developed later on by others + now still in academic use He could have been looking for the link, so he found one

Question 26

What are the 2 genetic theories of criminality?

Answer 26

1. MAOA 'warrior gene' | 2. XYY 'supermales'

Question 27

What is the MAOA gene?

Answer 27

Enzyme, breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters in brain (noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine) Has been linked to extreme aggression People with mutant version have deficit in MAOA activity Resulting in monoamine imbalances + increased agg

Question 28

What happens to the people with a mutant version of the MAOA gene?

Answer 28

Have a deficit in MAOA activity resulting in a monoamine imbalances + increased aggression

Question 29

What is Klinefelter's syndrome?

Answer 29

The combination of XXY | Results in a male with some female characteristics

Question 30

What could the extra Y chromosome do to males?

Answer 30

Could 'hyper masculinise' men Causing more aggressive than other men Hence more likely to commit violent crimes

Question 31

What can atypical chromosomal combinations result in?

Answer 31

Can result in atypical sexual development | e.g XXY/ XYY

Question 32

How could Brunner Syndrome be used to support the MAOA gene?

Answer 32

Rare genetic disorder Caused by mutation n MAOA gene (X chromosome) 1st ID in 1993 - 14 males in 1 family All unable to regulate aggressive compulsions - criminal acts Female members = unaffected, males without mutation = normal Suggests that increased aggression = no due to nurture (in gene)

Question 33

What did Christiansen (1997) find?

Answer 33

Studied concordance rates Criminal behaviour in 87 MZ + 147 DZ twins 33% = MZ 12% = DZ Suggests genes play some role in criminal behaviour

Question 34

What are the 3 problem with twin studies?

Answer 34

1. Correlation, no C+E 2. Concordance rate is below 100%, genes = part of explanation 3. Assumption had same upbringing, could've lived apart/ treated differently/ different experiences

Question 35

What does 'diathesis' mean?

Answer 35

Greek | Disposition, vulnerability

Question 36

What is the diathesis-stress model?

Answer 36

Attempts explain behaviour as predisposition vulnerability Combined with stress from life experiences Exceeds threshold, disorder starts develop Purpose = try understand relationship between nature + nurture - something has to trigger the gene

Question 37

Who is the diathesis-stress model supported by?

Answer 37

Jim Fallon - brain structure + genetic make-up of psycho Has high risk genes BUT HE'S NOT - showing genetic predisposition to criminal behaviour isn't certain, just potential

Question 38

What did Hewitt (2009) find?

Answer 38

XYY men = rare in general population More common in offender population HOWEVER tend to commit nonviolent crimes

Question 39

What did Graham et al (2007) find?

Answer 39

Testosterone levels in XYY men = same as XY men No more aggressive BUT = at substantially increased risk of developmental delay + learning difficulties Crime could be; learning difficulties associated with XYY not aggression

Question 40

Is there a link between learning difficulties and criminal behaviour? Could could this criticise the XXY gene theory?

Answer 40

Small association between learning difficulties + criminal behaviour: IQ scores of convicted offenders = marginally lower Higer prevalence of mild learning difficulties amongst offenders Crime may be due to learning difficulties associated with XYY, not aggression

Question 41

Who criticises Lombroso saying his work was scientifically racist?

Answer 41

Matt Delsi (2012)