biological theories of criminality-LO2

Question 1

explain the biological theory =

Answer 1

Biological theories focus on the idea that physical characteristics make some people more likely to commit crime than others

. Such criminal tendancies can be genetic and therefore inherited (genetic compositions)

.thus, this approach argues people are “born” bad or as criminals.

Question 2

what are the theories split into ?

Answer 2

genetic
physiological

Question 3

chromosomes=

Answer 3

.strands of condensed DNA. On these chromosomes you find individual genes for every single physical characteristic. (23 pairs)

. 23rd pair determine your biological sex

. Women have- xx

. men have -XY

Question 4

Genes=

Answer 4

.units of DNA which code for one or more characteristics and are inherited from your parents.

Question 5

1st genetic theory-

Answer 5

twin studies

Question 6

what is there a link between ?

Answer 6

There appears to be a link between twins and criminality

Question 7

explain the 2 types of twins =

Answer 7

monozygotic twins- identical twins ( 2 geneticallt identical fetuses/come from 1 egg) share 100% of DNA

. Dyzygotic twins- un-identical twins ( 2 genetically different fetuses- come from 2 eggs) share 50% of DNA.

Question 8

Concordance rates=

Answer 8

the probability that if one twin has a characteristic the other twin will have the characteristic.

Question 9

what the 2 pieces of supporting research=

Answer 9

1) JOHNESS and LANGE
2) Christiansens-

Question 10

JOHNESS and LANGE=

Answer 10

Investigated 13 sets of myzygotic twins and 17 sets of dyzogotic twins

. Found that 10 of the 13 sets of myzygotic twins had both served time in prison

. Found that 2 of the 17 dyzgotic twins had both served time in prison.

Question 11

Christiansens=

Answer 11

Investigated offending behaviour of 3,586 twin pairs born in Denmark.

. Myzogotic cocordance rates= male (35%) female (21%)

.dyzygotic concordance rates= male (13%) female (8%)

Question 12

conclusion of twin studies=

Answer 12

They seem to suggest there is a genetic bases for criminal behjaviour

. However, we must remember the effects of shared upbrining.

. If it was 100% genetic we would expect an 100% cocordance rate for Monzygotic twins as they share 100% of the same genes. Therefore it cant be 100% genetic.

Question 13

2nd genetic theory=

Answer 13

adoption studies

Question 14

what are they ?

Answer 14

These are studies in which adopted children are compared to their biological and adopted parents to see which has more influence- biology or environment.

Question 15

whats the supporting research ?

Answer 15

Mednick et al

Question 16

Mednick et al=

Answer 16

Examined data on over 14,000 adopted sons in Denmark

. Sons are more likely to have a criminal record if a birth parent also has a criminal record= concordance rate 20%

. 14.7%, had a criminal record if their adoptive parents had a criminal record

. Found that adoptees with criminal records were more likely to have biological parents with criminal records than those whos birth parents did not have a criminal record.

Question 17

3rd genetic theory=

Answer 17

-jacobs XYY study

Question 18

jacobs XYY study findings =

Answer 18

Jacob found that 15 in 1000 have the condition in prison (xyy chromosome)

. While 1 in 1000 have the condition in the general population. (xyy chromosome)

Question 19

what is a XYY chromosome?

Answer 19

There are conditions in which people can be born with an additional chromosome.

. This condition is when a biological male has an extra Y chromosome (extra male chromosome) known as being “super-malees”.
. Therefore they have more testostirone and higher levels of aggression.

Question 20

Case study that supports jacobs theory=

Answer 20

It is beleived that john wayne gacey had XYY syndrome

. He sexually assaulted, tortured and murderd at least 33 boys/men in the USA

Question 21

what are the 4 pysiological theories ?

Answer 21

lombroscos
sheldon
neurochemicals
brain abnormalities

Question 22

what is lombroscos activist form ?

Answer 22

Suggested that criminals were “genetic throwbacks”- a primitive sub-species who were biologically different.

. Offenders were seen as lacking evolutionary development

. Therefore, their savage and untamed nature (animalistic instinct) means it is impossible for them to adjust to a civilized society; meaning they will inevitably turn to crime.

Question 23

what did he do ?

Answer 23

Examined the faces and cranial features of Italian convicts

. 3839 living and 383 dead

. proposed that the activistic form was associated with several physical anomalies

Question 24

what were the features he associated with criminality ?

Answer 24

large strong jaw with big teeth, high cheek bones, large ears (lacking lobes), prominent eyebrow arches, long arms, large eye sockets (bloodshot), acute eyesight, extra nipples/fingers/toes, dark skin, excessive body hair.

Question 25

what is a case study that supports this theory ?

Answer 25

Tracey Connelly was jailed in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of her 17-month-old son; peter. He was found in his cot, surrounded by splatters of his own blood, having been tortured over a period of 12 months. He had over 50 injuries including snapped spine, Brocken ribs and mutilated fingers with nails missing. She has ... . Low set, large ears . Prominent low forehead . Large fleshy lips . Excessive hair

Question 26

what was Sheldon's theory based on ?

Answer 26

somatotypes . Body type and personality are linked

Question 27

what are the three body types and their characteristics ?

Answer 27

Ectomorphs- thin and fragile- tend to be introverted and restrained, high degree of self-control (least likely to be criminal) . Mesomorphs-muscular and hard bodied- tend to be aggressive and adventurous (most dangerous- most likely to be a criminal) . Endomorphs- soft/more body fat- tend to be sociable and relaxed.

Question 28

brain injuries can brain injury lead to criminal behaviour ?

Answer 28

Yes- damages or changes to the pre-frontal cortex can change a person's behaviour. This part of the brain is associated with “self-control”.

Question 29

whats a case study that supports this ?

Answer 29

On August 1, 1966, he used knives to murder nis mother and his wife . He then went to the university of Texas in Austin with multiple firearms and began shooting people. (killed 3) . He then went to the towers 28th floor observation deck where he fired at random people for 96 minutes (killed 11 and wounded 31) . He was shot dead by police investigating officers found that Whitman had visited several university doctors in the year before the shootings; they prescribed him carious medications . In his autopsy they discovered a small tumour in the brain, putting pressure on his amygdala.

Question 30

whats the importance of the amgydala ?

Answer 30

The amygdala helps us process and control emotion and is part of the limbic system. . therefore, the abnormality here may mean that his emotions were not regulated effectively, so aggression (and therefore violent crime).

Question 31

whats another case study that supports the brain injury and criminality theory ?

Answer 31

Fineas Gage Gage survived a severe brain injury from an iron rod. It penetrated his cheek, eye and left side of the brain . He had a brief convulsion of the arms and legs, but was up and walking within a few minutes . A teacupful amount of his brain fell out of the hole in his head when he vomited . Gages personality changed due to the accident he endured. The injury led to a loss of social inhibition, meaning that gage would behave in a way that people would consider inappropriate. (violent, moody, uncontrol lable) Gages case became one of the first pieces of evidence suggesting that the frontal lobe was directly involved in personality.

Question 32

whats a piece of research that supports how brain abnormality can be linked to criminality ?

Answer 32

Raine et al- Used pet scans to measure brain activity in 41 murderers (and a control group) . They had also pleaded not guilty for insanity reasons . they found reduced activity for the offender group in areas such as the pre-frontal cortex. . Additionally, there were abnormalities in the activity of the limbic system; such as the amygdala. . This indicated that violent offenders have abnormal brain function

Question 33

neurochemicals theory what are neurotransmitters=

Answer 33

chemicals found in the brain that help transmit messages between synapses . One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin

Question 34

what is serotonin=

Answer 34

associated with regulating mood and behaviour

Question 35

whats a piece of research that indicates criminality and neuro-chemical could be linked ?

Answer 35

Scerbo and Raine= conducted a meta-analysis on 29 studies into antisocial adults and children and found low levels of serotonin in all of them. . Low levels of serotonin are associated with higher levels of aggression (therefore violent crime.)

Question 36

what is a drug that can impact your neurochemicals ?

Answer 36

STEROIDS

Question 37

what are they and how do they impact behaviour ?

Answer 37

Steroids are drugs that can increase muscle growth and increase testosterone . People on steroids can become violent (known as roid rage)

Question 38

whats an example of someone that become violent on steroids ?

Answer 38

Horace Williams beat a man to death after taking 2000 times the recommended dosage of anabolic steroids