Biological Theories Of Crime

Question 1

What are Biological theories of crime?

Answer 1

The idea that someone is a criminal due to their genetic material; they are ‘born a criminal’

Question 2

What are the three genetic theories of crime?

Answer 2

Jacobs XYY study, Twin studies, Adoption studies

Question 3

What are the two physiological theories of crime?

Answer 3

Lombroso and Sheldon

Question 4

What are the names of the two pairs of twins in the twin studies

Answer 4

Monozygotic (MZ) - identical, from the same egg with the same genetic material
Dizygotic (DZ)

Question 5

How many twins were found to both be criminal?

Answer 5

MZ = 10/13
DZ = 2/17

Question 6

What were the chances of both twins being criminal?

Answer 6

50% Mz

20% Dz

Question 7

What are some criticisms of the Twins study?

Answer 7

Sample size too small - lacks validity
The study was based on the appearance of the twins rather than their actual genetic material
It is difficult to separate the influence of genetics from the influence of social factors

Question 8

What was Jacobs XYY study?

Answer 8

Looked at chromosome abnormality
The additional Y chromosome can ‘hyper masculinise’ men making them more aggressive, which results in them committing violent crime.

Question 9

How many more times are XYY males more likely to be criminal than XY males?

Answer 9

10x more likely

Question 10

What are the criticisms of Jacobs XYY study?

Answer 10

XYY males guilty of crime were found to have committed non violent crimes, such as theft rather than violent crime

Question 11

What was Lombroso’s idea?

Answer 11

Criminality is linked to a persons physical features

Question 12

What is the name used to describe the physical features in Lombroso’s study?

Answer 12

‘Atavistic’ features

Question 13

What are some of the features needed to be considered a criminal by Lombroso?

Answer 13

Large jaw
Large ears
Long arms
Big hands

Question 14

How many characteristics did men and women need to be born a criminal?

Answer 14

Men = 5 or more
Women = 3

Question 15

What did Lombroso say about tattoos?

Answer 15

Seen as markings of a born criminal

show immortality and insensitivity to physical pain

Question 16

What are the criticisms of Lombroso’s theory?

Answer 16

Far too simplistic
Ignores other factors such as wealth, diet, health and other social factors
Can be seen as racist

Question 17

What does William Sheldon link to criminal behaviour?

Answer 17

Person’s physical form

Question 18

What are were the three body types in Sheldon’s study?

Answer 18

Endomorphic- fat and soft frame (sociable/fun)
Ectomorphic- thin and fragile frame (socially anxious/withdrawn)
Mesomorphic- muscular and hard frame (aggressive/dominant)

Question 19

What body type was most and least likely to commit crime and why?

Answer 19

Mesomorphic is most likely as their build reflects high testosterone levels that can result in more aggressive behaviour
Ectomorphic least likely

Question 20

What are the criticisms of Sheldon’s theory?

Answer 20

We cannot assume all mesomorphs are criminal in nature

Doesn’t explain why other body types commit crime in society

Question 21

What are the two physiological theories of crime?

Answer 21

Sheldon and Lombroso

Question 22

How does serotonin link to behaviour?

Answer 22

Violent criminal behaviour can be linked to changes in serotonin levels
Lower serotonin levels can cause negative changes in behaviour