Biological explanations of offending behaviour Flashcards
What is the historical approach for explaining offending behaviour?
Older explanations of criminality were often religious, suggesting criminals were possessed by demons. Lombroso challenged these ideas when he published his scientific theory of the actavistic form in the criminal man. 1876.
Define the activistic form
Criminals genetically are at a more primitive stage of human evolution than non-criminals, so are ‘throwbacks’. This means criminality is innate, so criminals are born not made.
According to Lombroso, what are the physical characteristics of a criminal?
A-symmetrical face, heavy brow, very small or big ears that stick out, large jaws and excessively long arms.
How many criminals did Lombroso look into to back up the activistic form?
4000 living and dead criminals
What are the limitations of Lombroso’s research?
- No control group was used so the biological features he described could have been present in the general (non criminal population).
- Goring compared biological measurements of 300 criminals with 3000 non criminals. Found that the physical and mental constitution of both criminal and law abiding persons of the same age, stature, class, and intelligence, are identical. There is no such thing as an anthropological criminal type.
- Atavistic form is an example of scientific racism, claiming biological features such as ‘dark skin’ identify criminality. This has influenced racist policies of eugenics and biased IQ testing that has harmed black communities. This has ultimately lowered trust in psychology as a science and the objectivity of criminal research.
- Atavistic form may confuse cause and effect, it may be that people with certain physical features are rejected by society and turn to crime, this results in a criminal stereotype that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What are the strengths of Lombroso’s research?
Lombroso’s work was conducted with careful measurements, paving the way for more scientific approaches to criminal research. Also by rejecting free will in favour of biological determinism, causes outside of the criminals control could be considered in the justice system, helping arguments for less severe punishment.
Define genetic explanations for offending behaviour
There are inherited genes that make it more likely that an individual will engage with criminal behaviour.
Describe the types of studies into genetic explanations of offending behaviour
If criminal behaviour is inherited, family studies should show that criminal behaviour is inherited across multiple generations. Twin studies should show the monozygotic twins are more likely to be criminals that dizygotic twins. Adoption studies should show that biological children of criminals go on to commit crimes even when raised with non criminal families.
What gene has been linked to criminal behaviour?
MAOA metabolises a range of neurological-transmitters including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline this genetic variation potentially leads to poorer impulse control.
Why may some people with the MAOA gene not be a criminal?
Some genes are only expressed due to an interaction with the environment. One explanation is diathesis stress, a pre-existing biological vulnerability exists, the aggressive behaviour is then triggered by later environmental life stresses such as child neglect/abuse, resulting in violence.
What is a supporting study for genetic explanations of offending behaviour?
Rhee included 51 twin and adoption studies in a large meta-analysis including over 110 thousand participants. The research assessed the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on anti-social behaviour. The results of the data analysis found genetics accounted for 4% this suggests that hereditary genetic factors are a significant driver of anti-social crime.
Define neural explanation of offending behaviour
The range of biological processes and structures within the brain that leads to criminal behaviour, includes biochemistry and large neural structures.
What are neuro-transmitters?
Biological molecules that regulate brain activity, an imbalance is linked to offending behaviour, particularly violence.
how is noradrenaline linked to offending behaviour?
High levels result in aggression likely due to its role the fight or flight response. Naturally higher levels can lead to a more aggressive person.
How is serotonin linked to offending behaviour?
The ability to control impulsivity, if this is at a low level this could result in criminals being unable to resist emotional urges.
How is dopamine related to offending behaviour?
Causes pleasure and linked to drug addiction. The need to acquire more of the drug to satisfy a biological craving can lead to criminality such as theft.
What are neurological structures?
Biological features in the brain that regulate behaviour.
