biological theories - done

Question 1

what are the biological theories of criminality

Answer 1

1. physciological theories
2. genetic theories
3. brain injuries and disorders
4. biochemical explanations

Question 2

what are physiological theories

Answer 2

focus on criminal’s physical characteristics and claim that the
physical features of criminals differ from those of non-criminals

Question 3

what are genetic theories

Answer 3

see criminality as inherited - you get it through your genes

Question 4

explain the brain injuries and disorders theory

Answer 4

see injuries or disorders that impact the brain as bringing about changes in behaviour and personality which may cause people to offend

Question 5

explain biochemical explanations

Answer 5

involving substances and processes which affect behaviour

Question 6

physiological theory

what is lombrosos theory

Answer 6

he claimed that criminals looked physically different from others

Question 7

what did Goring (1913) do that disproves lombrosos theory - weakness

Answer 7

Goring (1913) carried out the same research as lombroso using a control group of non-criminals and found no significant difference in behaviour between the two groups

Question 8

how did lombroso research his theory

Answer 8

he observed, studied and sketched prisoners then made connections between certain facial features which he said criminals would have

Question 9

name at least 2 facial features of a criminal according to lombroso

Answer 9

1. larger jaw
2. prominent eyebrow arches
3. higher cheek bones
4. larger eye sockets

Question 10

what are some problems with lombrosos theory

Answer 10

1. he wanted to prove his theory correct so his research is highly biased
2. he conducted his research at the end of the 19th century (1876) so he didnt have modern day technology
3. many of the features he identified were not common in western europe so his theory was seen as a sort of racial profiling

Question 11

what is the key word you need to use when talking about lombrosos theory and what does it mean?

Answer 11

atavistic - reverting or suggesting characteristics of the past for example pointed teeth in humans which were needed in the past for ripping meat
- the features lombrosos recorded were all atavistic features

Question 12

how has lombrosos theory used today that can be used as a strength of the theory?

Answer 12

Lombrosos work has been used in the development of criminal profiling

Question 13

what does lombrosos theory suggest about criminals that many reject today

Answer 13

lombrosos theory suggests through atavism that criminals are less evolved that others - in modern day society people reject this as it is believed to be an outdated and offensive view

Question 14

physiological theory

what is sheldons somatotypes theory

Answer 14

Shelondon suggests that there are three body types (ectomorph, endomorph or mesomorph) which all have different traits and personalities

Question 15

how did Sheldon research his somatotype theory that can help prove its validity?

Answer 15

Sheldon examined photographs of 4000 scantily clad men - he found that many criminals prone to committing violent crimes were mesomorphic

Question 16

what is the body type and personality of an endomorph

Answer 16

round body, lack of muscle and wide hips
they are sociable and outgoing

Question 17

what is the personality and bodytype of an ectomorph

Answer 17

thin, lacking muscle and fat, flat chested and high forehead
they are self conscious and emotionally restrained

Question 18

what is the body type and personality of a mesomorph

Answer 18

musclular, strong limbs and broad shoulders
they are sensation seeking, risk taking and domineering

Question 19

according to sheldon which body type is the most likely to commit crime and why?

Answer 19

mesomorph - they are more likely to take risks and also use their body type to their advantage to commit crime

Question 20

what are some problems with sheldons somatotype theory?

Answer 20

1. modern day society has a much larger range of body types that people argue cant be sorted into these 3 catagories
2. you can change your body type through working out, losing weight or putting on weight
3. the somatotypes say nothing about female criminality
4. critics argue that body shape does not dictate criminality but criminality can change body shape

Question 21

evidence to support sheldons theory?

Answer 21

Gluek and Gluek found that 60% of criminals had the mesomorph body type

Question 22

genetic theory

twin and adoption studies - why study twins

Answer 22

identical twins have 100% of the same genetic structure so if both commit criminal acts, a genetic cause may be the reason
non identical twins do not have 100% of the same genetic stucture so are less likely to behave in a similar way due to genes

Question 23

why adoption studies?

Answer 23

adoption studies are used to establish a correlation between criminality and those with similar genes which removes social explanations

Question 24

adoption studies simlified
Hint - link to socialisation of the child

Answer 24

those who have been adopted share similar dna with their biological parents but wont have been socialised by them so if they commit crime it rules of the social explanations like the child being socialised by their parents

Question 25

twin study evidence

what did Lange find

Answer 25

he found higher consitancy of criminal behaviour in identical twins than in non identical twins

Question 26

how many sets of identical twins had criminal records and how many sets of non identical twins had criminal records

Answer 26

10 out of 13 sets of identical twins both had criminal records
2 out of 17 sets of non identical twins both had criminal records

Question 27

what were christiansens findings on danish twins?

Answer 27

he found higher rates of concordance (consistancy) in Danish identical twins (35%) compared to non identical twins (13%)

Question 28

what are some problems with the twin theory

Answer 28

1. it is difficult to separate nature and nurture when studying twins
2. concordance rates are never 100%, if crime was truly genetic then every identical twin pair should commit crime

Question 29

evidence of adoption studies

Answer 29

Hutchings and Mednick found high rates of concordance between criminal behaviour in adopted boys and their biological parents

Question 30

problems with the adoption studies theory

Answer 30

1. often adoptive parents are not too dissimilar from biological parents, which means nurture could still influence behaviours
2. psychological impact of being adopted could lead to individuals participating in deviant and criminal behaviour

Question 31

genetic theory

what is the XYY syndrome theory

Answer 31

the presence of an aditional Y chromosome - this is thought to impact the behaviour and temperament of individuals

Question 32

what personality traits can XYY syndrome cause?

Answer 32

explosive temper, hyperactivity, defiance and antisocial behaviour

Question 33

who came up with XXY syndrome theory

Answer 33

jacob et al

Question 34

evidence for XYY syndrome

Answer 34

1. Jacob et al found that males with XYY syndrome were more aggressive than males with XY chromosomes
2. they found out 7/196 males in prison had XYY syndrome compared to 1/1000 out of prison

Question 35

by what other name is jacob et als XYY syndrome known

Answer 35

supermale syndrome

Question 36

which famous serial killer was believed to have XYY syndrome

Answer 36

John Wayne Gacy

Question 37

what are the limitations of the XYY syndrome theory

Answer 37

1. XYY syndrome is rare, occuring in 1/1000 males, whilst around 80% of crime is commited by males
2. it is difficult to seperate upbringing from genetic factors such as upbringing eg John Wayne Gacy had a traumatic childhood