biological theories Flashcards
summarise Lombroso’s atavistic form theory (physiological)
criminals were different species that exhibited various mental and physical characteristics that set them apart. A born criminal is an atavism were physical makeup, mental capacity and instincts are like that of the primitive man. .
summarise Sheldon’s theory of soma types (physiological)
there are 3 different body types which have 3 different perosnalities. Certain types were more likely to occur in criminal populations he noted from a rehabilitation centre the was a large proportion of males that were mesomorph
summarise Jacob’s XYY chromosomal abnormality theory (genetic)
super male syndrome was created to explain hyper-masculine offenders responsible for serious crimes, aggressive and lacking in intelligence and have an extra Y chromosome.
summarise Mednick’s adoption and biological parent study (genetic)
Mednick believed that when your parent had a criminal conviction their children were more likely to as well. it was also wondered whether an adoptive parents convictions made a child more likely to commit crimes
summarise Christiansen’s twin studies(genetic)
recent studies show a low estimate for heritability of criminality unlike early twin studies that found a higher concordance for criminality amongst MZ and DZ. Christiansen’s study found a high concordance of criminality in twins born between 1881 and 1910.
name 2 cases that support the brain damage and injury theory (brain structure)
Charles Whitman and Phineas Gage
what are the 3 section of the chemical and diet theory (brain structures)
biochemical, nutrition, hormones and testosterone
explain the biochemical part of the chemical and diet theory
allergies, environmental conditions (artificial lighting) and diet (food additives).
explain the nutrition part of the chemical and diet theory
food allergies have been found to increase hypersensitivity and ADHD. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies my be linked to criminality or anti-social behaviours
what did virkkunen find that links to the chemical and diet theory
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) has also been suggested as a factor which might affect brain function and contribute to antisocial behaviour
what did Gesch find that links to the nutrition part of the chemical and diet theory
Gesch -found supplementing prisoner’s diets with physiological dosages of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, caused a reduction in anti-social behaviour.
explain the hormones and testosterone part of the chemical and diet theory and who backs this theory
Raine
from research on animals there is evidence to say that testosterone is a factor in aggressiveness. The same suggestion is made about the menstrual cycle as female prison inmates are more likely to commit violent crimes premenstrual rather than post menstrual.
explain the case study of Charles Whitman in relation to the brain damage and injury theory
he killed 21 people during one day in 1966 an autopsy revealed that he had a large brain tumour which might have been affecting the area of the brain responsible for controlling aggressive urges (amygdala) injury or brain conditions can cause dramatic changes in personality and behaviour.
explain the case study of Phineas Gage in relation to the brain damage and injury theory
he suffered a serious brain injury which destroyed most of the left side of his brain it effected his personality and behaviour over the remaining 12 yrs. of his life.
what characteristics did Lombroso say that murders’ had
cold, glassy, blood shot eyes, curly abundant hair, strong jaw, long ears, thin lips.
what characteristics did Lombroso say that sex offenders had
Sex offender- glinting eyes, strong jaw, thick lips, lots of hair, projecting ears.
what did Lombroso say about female criminals
Female criminals- are also born. He concluded that female criminals were rare and suggested that they had not ‘degenerated’ in the same way as man because they had evolved less due to the inactive nature of their lives.
what are the different soma types according to Sheldon and which personality types correspond
endomorph- viscertonic
ectomorph- somotonic
mesomorph- celebrotonic
explain the case that supports Jacobs xyy theory
Arthur Shawcross- research in the 1970’s found some association with the extra chromosome and offending behaviour but gave no evidence of violent behaviour.
what were Osbourne and Wests findings in relation to Mednick’s theory
comparing sons of criminal and non-criminals’ fathers 13% of sons from the non-criminal fathers had a criminal conviction. 40% of sons from criminal fathers had a criminal conviction.
what were Hollin’s findings in relation to Mednick’s theory
it is equally consistent with the idea that criminal behaviour is learned within the family or that a third variable, such as poverty, accounts for criminal behaviour in both fathers and sons.
what were Ainsworth’s findings in relation to Mednick’s theory
if we accept genetics play a role in criminality, we must explain why 60% of sons of criminals didn’t commit crimes and 13% of sons with non-criminal fathers did commit crime.
what were Crowe’s findings in relation to Mednick’s theory
when a child’s biological mother had a criminal record the child had 50% chance of acquiring one by 18yrs old compared to a 5% risk of the child whose mother didn’t have a criminal record acquiring one.
what were Hutchings and Mednick’s findings in relation to Mednick’s theory
Hutchings and Mednick- where neither biological or adoptive father had a criminal record the son went on to get a criminal record 10% of the time. The likelihood rose to 11% when the adoptive father had a criminal record and when the biological father had a criminal record it rose to 21% which rose to 36% when both fathers had a criminal record.
