biological theories of crime Flashcards
notes
Describe the main idea behind biological theories of criminality.
Biological theories suggest that physical characteristics make some individuals more likely to commit crimes, implying that criminal tendencies can be inherited.
Define physiological theories of crime.
Physiological theories focus on the physical characteristics of criminals, suggesting that these traits can indicate a propensity for criminal behaviour.
How did Cesare Lombroso contribute to biological theories of crime?
Cesare Lombroso laid the foundations for modern criminology by studying the physical differences between criminals and non-criminals, proposing that criminals are ‘born’ with certain atavistic features.
What are some physical features Lombroso associated with criminals?
Lombroso identified features such as enormous jaws, high cheekbones, large eye sockets, prominent eyebrow arches, and long arms as indicators of criminality.
Explain the concept of atavism in Lombroso’s theory.
Atavism is the idea that criminals are throwbacks to an earlier, primitive stage of evolution, suggesting they are pre-social and unable to control their impulses.
What percentage of criminal acts did Lombroso attribute to atavistic characteristics?
Lombroso claimed that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics.
Describe the characteristics Lombroso associated with murderers.
Lombroso suggested that murderers often had bloodshot eyes, curly hair, and aquiline noses resembling the beak of an eagle.
What traits did Lombroso associate with sex offenders?
Lombroso identified thick lips and protruding ears as common traits among sex offenders.
How did Lombroso categorize criminals beyond physical traits?
Lombroso identified two additional types of criminals: insane criminals, who are intellectually or morally challenged, and epileptic criminals, who commit crimes during seizures.
What is the distinction Lombroso made between criminaloids and other criminals?
Criminaloids are individuals whose criminality is influenced more by environmental factors rather than biological traits.
How did Lombroso’s views evolve over time regarding types of criminals?
Lombroso updated his theories to include insane criminals and epileptic criminals, recognizing that not all criminal behaviour is purely biological.
What role do biochemical explanations play in biological theories of crime?
Biochemical explanations consider factors such as hormones and other biological substances that may influence offending behaviour.
Describe the significance of Lombroso’s studies on criminals.
Lombroso’s studies involved examining the facial and cranial features of thousands of criminals, contributing to the belief that physical traits could predict criminal behaviour.
What is the implication of genetic theories in the context of criminality?
Genetic theories suggest that criminal behaviour can be inherited, indicating that some individuals may be predisposed to criminality due to their genetic makeup.
How do brain injuries and disorders relate to biological theories of crime?
Brain injuries and disorders are considered potential causes of criminal behaviour, suggesting that certain neurological conditions may lead to offending.
Describe the findings of the recent study from a university in China regarding AI and criminal identification.
The study involved ID photos of 1856 Chinese men, half of whom had a previous conviction. The AI wrongly flagged innocent men as criminals 6% of the time but correctly identified 83% of actual criminals.
Define Lombroso’s theory in relation to criminality.
Lombroso’s theory suggests that certain physical features can indicate a predisposition to criminal behaviour, leading to further developments in the explanation of criminality, although it lacks definitive scientific evidence.
How did William Sheldon contribute to the understanding of human physique and criminality?
William Sheldon observed human bodies and temperaments, leading to his development of the somatotypes theory, which categorizes individuals into three body types: ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs.
What are the three fundamental body types according to Sheldon’s somatotypes theory?
The three body types are: Ectomorphs (thin and introverted), Mesomorphs (muscular and assertive), and Endomorphs (rounded and extroverted).
Explain the characteristics associated with Mesomorphs according to Sheldon.
Mesomorphs are characterized as square and muscular, with a tendency toward an active, dynamic, assertive, and aggressive personality, making them more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
How did Sheldon assess the relationship between body type and delinquency?
Sheldon conducted a correlation study using photographs of college students and delinquents to create a scale rating resemblance to mesomorphs, finding that delinquents had a higher average mesomorph rating compared to college students.
What limitations exist in Lombroso’s theory of criminality?
A limitation of Lombroso’s theory is the lack of scientific evidence supporting a definite causal link between physical features and criminal behaviour, despite some common features among criminals.
Discuss the significance of Sheldon’s observations in developing his somatotypes theory.
Sheldon was inspired by observing his father’s breeding programs, which led him to examine 4,000 photographs of men to identify specific genetic traits associated with body types and their potential link to personality.
What personality traits are associated with Ectomorphs according to Sheldon?
Ectomorphs are described as having a ‘cerebrotonic’ personality, which is introverted, thoughtful, inhibited, and sensitive.
What personality traits are associated with Endomorphs according to Sheldon?
Endomorphs are characterized by a ‘viscerotonic’ (sociable and easy-going) personality, which is relaxed, comfortable, and extroverted.
How does Sheldon’s theory relate Mesomorphs to criminal behaviour?
Sheldon suggested that Mesomorphs are more likely to engage in crime due to their physique and assertiveness, which are seen as advantageous in risk-taking activities.
Describe a strength of Sheldon’s theory regarding criminal behaviour.
A strength of Sheldon’s theory is that it utilized a large sample size for observations, allowing for justified comparisons between criminals and non-criminals.
What limitation does Sheldon’s theory have concerning its identification of criminals?
A limitation of Sheldon’s theory is that it relies solely on biological factors, specifically body shape, which is not scientifically proven.
How do chromosomes relate to genetic theories of crime?
Chromosomes are strands of condensed DNA that contain individual genes for every physical characteristic, and humans have 46 chromosomes divided into 23 pairs.
Define genes in the context of genetic theories of crime.
Genes are units of DNA that code for one or more characteristics and are inherited from a person’s parents.
Explain the XYY Theory in relation to crime.
The XYY Theory suggests that crime might be attributed to a chromosomal abnormality where males have an extra Y chromosome, potentially leading to increased aggression and violent behaviour.
Who is Patricia Jacobs and what is her contribution to the XYY Theory?
Patricia Jacobs is a Scottish geneticist who focused on genetic differences in chromosomes and developed findings related to the XYY chromosomal abnormality.
What behaviours are associated with individuals who have the XYY chromosomal abnormality?
Behaviours associated with XYY individuals include explosive temper, hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiant actions, lack of empathy, and in some cases, antisocial behaviour.
How are XYY men represented in the prison population compared to the general population?
XYY men are over-represented in prison, with 15 in 1000 men having the condition in prison compared to 1 in 1000 in the general population.
Provide an example of a case study related to the XYY Theory.
John Wayne Gacy, who sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered at least 33 men in the USA, is suggested to have possibly had XYY syndrome.
What is a strength of Jacobs’ work on the XYY Theory?
A strength of Jacobs’ work is that it provides tangible scientific evidence of the genetic theory proposed, supported by research and case studies.
Describe the characteristics of XYY syndrome.
XYY syndrome characteristics are often subtle and do not necessarily indicate a serious chromosomal disorder, leading to many males being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Explain the difference between dizygotic and monozygotic twins.
Dizygotic twins, or fraternal twins, come from two separate eggs and share 50% of their DNA, while monozygotic twins, or identical twins, come from one egg and share 100% of their DNA.
Define concordance rates in the context of twin studies.
Concordance rates refer to the probability, expressed as a percentage, that if one twin has a particular characteristic, the other twin will also have that characteristic.
How do genetic theories utilize monozygotic twins in crime studies?
Genetic theories use monozygotic twins in crime studies because they share identical genes, suggesting that if one twin is a criminal, the other is likely to be as well.
Summarise the findings of Johannes Lange’s twin study.
Johannes Lange’s study in 1929 found that 10 out of 13 monozygotic twins had both served time in prison, compared to only 2 out of 17 dizygotic twins.
What was the focus of Christensen’s research on twins?
Christensen focused on analysing pairs of twins to determine whether criminal tendencies might be inherited, finding a 52% concordance rate among monozygotic twins.
Evaluate the strengths of twin studies in understanding criminality.
Twin studies support genetic explanations of crime, as identical twins being genetically identical should show similar criminal behaviour if genetics were the sole cause.
Identify the limitations of twin studies in the context of criminality.
Limitations include the fact that 100% concordance is not observed, suggesting other factors influence behaviour, and that shared environments may lead to one twin influencing the other.
Discuss the impact of brain injuries on behaviour.
Research suggests that damage to the brain can alter an individual’s behaviour, leading to changes such as altered behaviour patterns, immaturity, increased loss of self-control, and an inability to modify behaviour.
Describe the accident that Phineas Gage experienced.
Phineas Gage was a railway worker who survived an accident where a 3-foot inch thick metal rod went through his head, destroying most of his left frontal lobe.
What were the immediate effects of Phineas Gage’s accident?
He lost consciousness and had convulsions immediately but awoke quickly and was talking and walking soon afterwards.
How did Phineas Gage’s accident affect his movement and speech?
He never showed any impairment of movement or speech after the accident.
What aspects of Phineas Gage’s cognitive abilities remained intact after his accident?
His memory was intact, and he was capable of learning new things.
Describe the behavioural changes Phineas Gage experienced after his accident.
His behaviour was greatly affected, becoming anti-social and extravert.
Define biochemical explanations in the context of criminal behaviour.
Biochemical explanations suggest that biochemical substances and processes may cause criminal behaviour due to their effects on brain chemistry and mental processes.
List some factors that are considered in biochemical explanations of criminal behaviour.
Factors include sex hormones, blood sugar levels, substance abuse, and diet.
Explain the XYY theory of criminality.
The XYY theory suggests that a chromosomal abnormality, specifically an additional Y chromosome, may lead to criminal behaviour, with individuals often described as more violent and aggressive.
How does the prevalence of XYY syndrome in prisons compare to the general population?
Jacob et al (1965) found that 15 in 1000 people in prisons suffered from XYY syndrome compared to 1 in 1000 in the general population.
What is one notable case associated with XYY syndrome and criminality?
John Wayne Gacy, a famous serial killer who murdered 33 men, is argued to have suffered from XYY syndrome.
