Biological theories Flashcards
Give a summary of Biological theories.
Biological theories of crime argue that our genes can make it more susceptible for us to be criminals.
Criminal behaviour is caused by the genetic code we inherit from our parents.
Criminal conduct is ‘in born’
Define Monozygotic.
Twins from the same egg
Define Dizygotic
Twins from a different egg.
If criminality is genetic, what does this mean in context of Monozygotic twins?
If one MZ twin engages in criminal action; then the other will be the same.
Lange (1929) - What fraction of MZ twins go to prison?
10/13.
Lange(1929) - What fraction of DZ twins go to prison?
2/17
Christiansen (1977) - How many twins were tested?
3586 twins.
Christiansen (1977) - What is the concordance rate for MZ twins?
52%
Christiansen (1977) - What is the concordance rate for DZ twins?
22%
Ishikawa and rein (2002) - What is the concordance rate between MZ twins?
44%
Ishikawa and rein (2002) - What is the concordance rate between DZ twins?
21.6%
Who conducted the theory: ‘born criminals’?
Lombroso.
Outline Lombroso’s theory: ‘born criminals’.
- Criminals have different physical features in comparison to non-criminals.
How did Lombroso come up with his theory: ‘born criminals’
- He measured and recorded details of heads and faces of thousands of prisoners.
Give 2 examples of physical features criminals may have. This is in accordance to Lombroso’s theory of: ‘born criminals’.
1) Enormous Jaws
2) High cheek bones
What is atavism (atavistic) in Lombroso’s theory of: ‘born criminals’.
- Primitive stages of evolution.
If Criminals are atavistic (according to Lombroso’s theory of criminality), what 3 features does this give to criminals?
1) Pre-social
2)Unable to control their impulses
3)Reduced sensitivty to pain.
Lombroso’s theory: ‘Born Criminals’
Due to Criminals being atavistic, Criminals had similar aspects to _______ or ____.
Savages
Apes
Lombroso’s theory: Born criminals.
According to Lombroso, how would criminals be viewed in an ‘primitive’ society, comapred to ‘modern’ society
In a ‘primitive’ society, criminals would be deemed as normal.
In a ‘modern’ society, criminals would be deemed as abnormal.
Twin studies.
What does Monozygotic (MZ) mean?
Monozogtoic means twins from the same egg.
This makes the twins identical twins.
Twin studies.
What does dizygotic mean?
Dizygotic means twins from a different egg.
This means they are not identical.
Jacob’s XYY study.
What can the ‘XYY’ syndrome be called?
The XYY syndrome can be called ‘super male syndrome’.
Jacob’s XYY study.
Men who contain the ‘XYY’ chromosome, what are some of the key features? (4)
- Tall.
- Well built.
- Low intelligence.
- Aggressive.
Jacob’s XYY study.
What was the evidence behind males who have the ‘XYY’ gene containing these characteristics?
- Imprisoned criminals
-Psychiatric hospitals
-average proportion of inmates were found to have the XYY chromosome.
