biological theories AC2.1

Question 1

Physiological theories

Answer 1

• The idea criminals are physically different to non criminals
• lombroso and sheldon

Question 2

lombroso

Answer 2

• Criminals are those with atavistic features
• They are unable to control their impulses and have reduced pain sensitivity and so commit crimes
• criminals have distinctive physical features such as a large jaw, high cheekbones, prominent eyebrow arches and large eye sockets
• He examined the facial features of dead criminals and living ones and concluded that 40% had atavistic

Question 3

atavistic features

Answer 3

a primitive species from earlier stages of human evolution

Question 4

strength of lombroso

Answer 4

First person to study criminality using objective measurements

Question 5

limitation of lombroso

Answer 5

• Research since has failed to show a link between facial features and criminality
• His theory is racist as he equates non western societies with criminals because of their different features

Question 6

sheldon

Answer 6

• based on body type
• He classified three different body types:
  Mesomorphs
  Ectomorphs
  Endomorphs
• Criminals were more likely to be mesomorphs as they are attracted to risk taking and they feel they can over power

Question 7

Mesomorphs

Answer 7

muscular and hard tend to be aggressive and adventurous

Question 8

Ectomorphs

Answer 8

thin and fragile

Question 9

Endomorphs

Answer 9

fat and soft tend to be outgoing and relaxed

Question 10

strengths of sheldon

Answer 10

• Gluek found that 60% of the offenders in their study were mesomorphs
• Most serious delinquents had extremely mesomorphic body shapes

Question 11

limitations of sheldon

Answer 11

Criminality may cause the mesomorphs build due to the need to be physically tough

Question 12

other biological theories

Answer 12

• brain abnormalities
• neurochemistry

Question 13

brain abnormalities

Answer 13

• Damage that occurs to the prefrontal cortex may cause behavioural changes in the individual this includes being more immature and having less self control
• Raine et al used PET scans to study the living brain of impulsive killers. Damage was found to the prefrontal cortex in the brains of these criminals

Question 14

brain abnormalities case study: Fred west

Answer 14

It has been suggested that in his early teenage years, West had a motorbike accident
It left him with some brain damage,and a metal plate was fitted to his head.
His behaviour changed after the accident, he became guilty of petty crimes which culminated into the rape of a child
He and his wife murdered at least 12 women

Question 15

Neurochemistry

Answer 15

• Brain regulates activity of hormones that influence our behaviour
• Low levels of serotonin are linked to higher levels of aggression - serotonin levels can be influenced by drugs or alcohol use
• Raine found low levels of serotonin in sample of people with anti social behaviour
• Males who produce more testosterone are known to be more aggressive and criminal

Question 16

strengths of other biological theories

Answer 16

Biological behaviour means criminal behaviour can be studied scientifically and treatment used to control behaviour

Question 17

limitations of other biological theories

Answer 17

Often small samples used in examining brain activity and often after crime was committed - difficult to establish cause and effect

Question 18

genetics linked to criminality

Answer 18

criminality may be caused by a specific gene

Question 19

twin studies

Answer 19

• Identical twins share the same DNA so if one twin is a criminal the theory is that the other should be too
• If they are non identical there is less chance that they will both be criminals
• Christian’s study = 52% concordance rate between identical twins; where one is a criminal, then so is the other for non-identical twins, this is a 22% chance
• Raine et al = 44% concordance rate for identical twins existed, but only 21% for non-identical twins

Question 20

strengths of twin studies

Answer 20

• It is logical to assume whether their behaviour is identical
• Twin studies give some support to genetic explanations

Question 21

limitations of twin studies

Answer 21

• Identical twins should have 100% concordance rate
• Higher concordance rates might be caused by external factors

Question 22

Adoption Studies

Answer 22

• Compared adopted children to their biological parents and their adoptive parents. If the child’s behaviour is more like the biological parents behaviour it supports the genetic explanation
• Mednick’s study = sons were 20% more likely to have a criminal record if their birth parents did
• Mednick found that there was a higher concordance rate between criminal behaviour in adopted boys and their biological parents

Question 23

strengths of adoption studies

Answer 23

Adopted children are away from their biological parents so it is possible to investigate the influence of genetics without the exposure of criminal behaviour

Question 24

limitations of adoption studies

Answer 24

• Adopted children are often placed in similar situations as their birth family
• Many children are not adopted immediately at birth but remain with their biological parents for some time

Question 25

Jacobs XYY study

Answer 25

Having an extra Y chromosomes (supermale syndrome) has 4 tendencies: - Explosive temper - Hyper activity - Defiance - Tendency towards anti social behaviour Jacob et al found that XYY was found in 7 out of 196 prison inmates

Question 26

strengths for xyy study

Answer 26

- Found an association between XYY syndrome and offenders imprisoned for violent behaviour - Prime and whatmore found some links between the syndrome and property of crime

Question 27

limitations for xyy study

Answer 27

- Fit the typification of a typical offender - Over represented due to their low intelligence - more likely to be caught - Rare syndrome 1/1000 so can only explain some crime