Biological Explanations Of Offending Contrnt Flashcards
What are the different parts of the biological explanation of offending?
. Historical approach
. Genetic explanations
. Neural explanations
What did Cesare Lombroso write to set out his views on offending?
Wrote ‘the criminal man’ in 1876
Belief: offenders possessed similar characteristics to lower primates, explaining their criminality
- this book received four further editions with his updated views
How did Lombroso use Darwin’s new theory of evolution?
Suggested criminals are throwbacks to an earlier species. These criminals failed to evolve as they couldn’t meet the demands of society and adapt and evolve through natural selection
What mnemonic can be used to remember the physiological characteristics of criminals according to Lombroso?
S - loping brow
H -igh cheekbones
R - eally large jaw
E - ars are large
K - urly hair
How did Lombroso research his theory?
Empirical evidence:
. on post-mortem (after death) examinations of criminals
. Studied faces of living criminals
. Measured skulls and physical characteristics (anthropometry)
What did Turvey (2011) find?
There are 18 different characteristics that make up the atavistic type
What were some of Lombroso’s findings in his research over his career?
Overall: examined over 50,000 bodies
. Convicted Italian criminals study: 383 criminals, found 21% had one atavistic trait and 43% had at least five
.
What are somatotypes in the atavistic form and who came up with them?
Different body shapes are associated with certain types of crimes (Kretschmer 1921)
Describe findings of Kretschmer (1921)?
Studied over 4000 criminals:
. Short and thin - petty thieves
. Tall and muscular - violent crimes
. Short and fat - crimes of deception and sometimes violence
. Mixed (more than one type) - crimes against morality (e.g prostitution)
What is the atavistic form?
explanation for criminal behaviour that suggests that certain indivuals are innately born with a criminal personality and can be identified by certain physiological characteristics that are a throwback to earlier primitive forms.
What are candidate genes?
Genes which are thought to be related or predispose an individual to certain traits, be that diseases or physical attributes
Where does evidence for a genetic component of offending come from typically and give example?
Twin studies such as Adrian Raine (1993)
- reviewed research on the delinquent behaviour of twins and found 52% concordance to delinquent behaviour in MZ twins compared only 21% in DZ twins, supporting the idea that there are genetic factors influencing offending behaviour
Which two candidate genes have been found to predispose an individual to offending behaviour?
MAOA gene (warrior gene) and CDH13
Outline Han Brunner’s research and findings into the influence of candidate genes on offending behaviour?
Studied 28 MALE members of a Dutch family with a history of violence and impulsiveness such as attempted murder. Brunner et al (1993) studied the DNA of these men:
. These men shared a particular gene that led to abnormally low levels of MAOA
Outline the role of MAOA in offending behaviour?
MAOA is an enzyme that is responsible for the breaking down of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin. As low levels of serotonin have been associated with aggressive and impulsive behaviour, it is vital to make sure the neurotransmitters are broken down efficiently. The MAOA gene regulates the levels of MAOA and mutations to this gene can lead to low or high levels, with low levels associated with impulsive and aggressive behaviour as neurotransmitters aren’t being broken down properly due to MAOA deficiency
