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Unit 2 Crim > Biological Theories of criminality > Flashcards

Biological Theories of criminality Flashcards

1
Q

What is atavistic?

A

Seeming to be very primitive, like the looks or behavior of our earliest ancestors from a long time ago in human history.

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2
Q

What are Autopsies?

A

An autopsy is a surgical procedure that consists of a through examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of death.

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3
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

A long DNA molecule with art or all the genetic material of an organism.

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4
Q

What is concordance rate?

A

A statistical measure that describes the similarity of individual that share an attribute, given that one already possesses this trait.

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5
Q

What is determinism?

A

Behaviour is controlled by external influences we exhibit no free will over.

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6
Q

What is Dizygotic twins?

A

Non-identical twins who share 50% DNA.

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7
Q

What is Ectomorph?

A

A body type that tends to be generally thin and lean, ectomorphs tend to have slender waists, narrow hips and shoulders, small joints, and long legs and arms, without much body fat or noticeable muscle mass.

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8
Q

What is Endomorph?

A

A body type that tends to be soft and round with a high proportion of fat tissue.

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9
Q

What does inherited mean?

A

Derived genetically from one’s parents or ancestors.

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10
Q

What is Mesomorph?

A

A body type that is compact and muscular.

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11
Q

What is Monozygotic twins?

A

Identical twins who share 100% DNA.

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12
Q

What is somatotypes?

A

A body type.

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13
Q

What is stigmata?

A

Physical signs of the state of atavism.

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14
Q

What are super-males?

A

Men with XXY syndrome, who are overly-aggressive and lacking in empathy.

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15
Q

What is reductionism?

A

Reducing behaviour to its simplest explanation.

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16
Q

Who is Cesare Lombroso?

A

He was an Italian psychiatrist and military medical doctor who developed theories about criminals. He pioneered the use of scientific methods in criminology. ‘Father of modern criminology.

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17
Q

Who is Sheldon?

A

William Sheldon, a US psychologist advanced a theory that shares Lombroso’s ideas that criminal behaviour is linked to a persons physical form.

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18
Q

What did Lombroso believe criminals were?

A

Lombroso believed that criminals were individual who had failed to evolve at the same pace as the remained of the human race. criminals could be identified by their atavistic characteristic ( or blemishes referred to as stigmata which indicated biological inferiority. He based this data from gathered autopsies on convicted criminals.

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19
Q

What did Lombroso suggest criminals were?

A

’ throwbacks
'.their atavistic primitive features were biological characteristics from an earlier stage of human development that manifested as a tendency to commit crime.

20
Q

What are Atavistic features?

A
  • High cheekbones
    -Flattened or upturned nose
    -Low, sloped forehead
    -Large ears
    -Large jaw
    -long arms when compared o lower limbs.
21
Q

What did Lombroso suggest different types of criminal had? what were there features?

A

Murderer’s = had bloodshot eyes and curly hair

Sex offenders= thick lips and protruding ears.

22
Q

What did Lombroso also suggest there were other aspects of a ‘born criminal’.

A
  • Insensitive to pain
    -Using criminal slang
    -having tattoos
    -being unemployed
23
Q

What is unscientific research a weakness of Lombroso’s theory?

A

It was based on unscientific research, Lombroso based his theory on the facial measurements of hundreds of criminals and the skulls of deceased criminals. He did not compare these results to a control group of non-criminals. Therefore, as he did not have a comparison control group, and the finding cannot be viewed as support for his claims.

24
Q

What Lombroso’s theory being contradictory another weakness of Lombroso’s theory?

A

His theory is contradictory, Goring 1913 made a study of the physical features of thousands of English prisoners, and found none of the distinctive facial characteristics noted by Lombroso. Therefore, this research discredits the theory.

25
Q

Why is Lombroso’s theory deterministic?

A

This is because it assumes that you are born a criminal and therefore unable to escape one’s destiny. This is very pessimistic and ignores the influence of free will.

26
Q

Why is Lombroso’s theory Reductionist?

A

This is because it reduces the complex phenomena of criminal behaviour down to the shape of your facial features. This is too simplistic and very unrealistic.

27
Q

Why does Lombroso’s theory not take into account?

A

Lombroso’s theory doesn’t account social or economic factors. There is a large evidence base demonstrating how our upbringing and income can influence our behaviour and the likelihood of us becoming a criminal. It is therefore a limited explanation.

28
Q

What did Sheldon connect body measurements to?

A

He connected body measurements to personality and outlined three basic body types and associated temperaments and personalities. These are known as somatotypes.

29
Q

How did Sheldon find the three body types?

A

He used a sample of photographs of college students and delinquents rated on a scale of 1-7 on their resemblance to mesomorph.

30
Q

What is description and personality of a Endomorph?

A

Rounded, soft, fat.
The personality: Sociable, relaxed, outgoing

31
Q

What is description and personality of a mesomorph?

A

-Muscular & hard bodied
Personality: Aggressive, adventurous, assertive, sensatiom0seeking

32
Q

What is description and personality of a Ectomorph?

A

Thin, Fragile
Personality: Introverted, restrained, self-conscious.

33
Q

Which somatotype is most likely to commit crimes?

A

Mesomorph

34
Q

Which somatotype is lease likely to commit a crimes?

A

Ectomorphs

35
Q

What is Sheldon’s theory only focusing on criminals a weakness?

A

Because it does not mean all mesomorphs are criminals. Therefore, it cannot account for mesomorphs who do not become criminals.

36
Q

Why is Sheldon’s theory a weakness as it cannot account for criminal individuals who are not mesomorphs.

A

The theory cannot explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminals. Therefore, the theory is limited as it cannot explain criminals.

37
Q

The theory does not take into account that peoples somatotype are not fixed. Why is this a weakness?

A

because peoples bodies change throughout their lives, and an individual may be all three types at some point in their lives. Therefore, Sheldon does not detail whether this would lead to changes in personality and criminal behaviour.

38
Q

Why is Sheldon’s theory determinsitc?

A

Sheldon argues thar we are controlled by our body shape e.g. if you are a mesomorph you are going to become a criminal not matter what. Therefore this theory is too pessimistic and it completely ignores free will and it therefore very unrealistic.

39
Q

What is Jacobs XYY study?

A

A genetic theory stating criminality is inherited / passed on through the family.

40
Q

What may cause a male with an extra (Y) chromosomes cause?

A

May lead to higher levels of testosterone being produced, which leads to aggression and criminality.

41
Q

What are XYY men also known as?

A

‘Super-males- and are more aggressive and violent than males with a single Y chromosome.

42
Q

What is Jacob et all find out about men being over-represented in prison?

A

15 in 1000 men have a condition in prison compared to 1 in 1000 in the general symptoms. the symptoms of super0males are to be very tall, well built, have acne and low intelligence.

43
Q

Why is Jacobs theory contradictory?

A

Theligaard 1984 researched the traits of XYY men and XY men. He found the characteristic were not associated with XYY men.

44
Q

Why is Jabob’s theory of XYY deterministic?

A

This is because it assumes that you are born a criminal and therefore unable to escape one’s destiny. Therefore, it is very pessimistic and ignores the influence of free will.

45
Q

Why is Jacob’s theory of XYY Reductionist?

A

This is because it reduces the complex phenomena of criminal behaviour down to the influence of chromosomes. This is therefore too simplistic.

46
Q

What other factors does Jacob’s theory ignore?

A

It does not take into account social or economic factors. It is therefore, a limited explanation.

Unit 2 Crim (4 decks)

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