Ch.3 - Biological Risk Factors For Crime

Question 1

Behaviour genetics

Answer 1

Focuses on examining the role genes play in the formation and development of human and animal behaviour.

Question 2

Molecular genetics

Answer 2

Studies the structure and function of genes at the molecular level.

• focused on specific genes as foundations for certain patterns of behaviour

Question 3

Twin shared environments vs. Non-shared environments

Answer 3

Shared: prenatal & living experiences affecting both twins in same vs. different ways

Nonshared: Living experiences that differ between twins

• As age increases, nonshared influences increase & shared influences decrease

Question 4

Concordance

Answer 4

Degree to which pairs of subjects both show particular behaviour or condition.

Ex. Comparing IQ of MZ twins and Dz twins

out of 50 pairs MZ - if 25 have the same IQ then concordance = 50%

out of 50 pairs DZ - if 10 have the same IQ then concordance = 20%

• This suggests that hereditary factors play an important role in intelligence

Question 5

Twins Early Development Study

Answer 5

Explores behaviour problems as well as problematic development in language, cognition, and academic abilities from early childhood through adolescence.

• the research involves a large sample of twins

Question 6

Adoption studies

Answer 6

Schulsinger (1972):

Study: psychopathy in adoptees
Result: psychopathy is 2.5x higher for those with biological relatives

Crowe (1974):

Study: Adoptees with biological, criminal mothers vs. biological, non-criminal mothers
Result: At age 18, those with criminal mothers at higher risk

Question 7

“Warrior gene”

Answer 7

• named Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)

This gene has been commonly linked to aggression and violence, therefore those with the gene are more likely to be criminal

Question 8

Temperament

Answer 8

“Natural” mood disposition determined largely by genetics and biological influences.

• appears in infancy, continues through life
• influenced by environment

Question 9

3 temperament styles in children

Answer 9

(Thomas & Chess, 1977)

1. Easy-going child
2. The difficult child
3. Slow-to-warm-up child

Question 10

Environmental risk factors - Neurotoxins

Answer 10

Lead - has long term affects on learning, cog development, antisocial behaviour

• found in gasoline, toys, tap water (substantially in low SES backgrounds)

Cadmium - linked to violent behaviour, learning difficulties, lower cognitive functioning

• exposure due to pregnant smoking, burnin fossil fuels, secondhand smoke

Manganese - overexposure linked to neurological problems, aggression, and impulsivity

• Infants exposed via breast milk from mothers with iron deficiency

Mercury - indirectly linked to criminal and antisocial behaviour via cognitive impairment

• contaminated fish, fetus can be exposed via mother’s placenta

Question 11

Environmental risk factors - Nicotine, and Drug Exposure

Answer 11

(Rasenan, 1999): sons of maternal smokers over twice as likely to commit violent crime

Alcohol during pregnancy can lead to Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD); strongly linked with delinquency and crime

Question 12

Environmental risk factors - Brain injuries and developmental abnormalities

Answer 12

Traumatic brain injury and developmental brain dysfunction linked to antisocial & violent behaviour

• 60-82% of offenders may have history of TBI

Question 13

Neuropsychological factors - Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Answer 13

Neurotransmitters: brain chemicals that transmit messages in nervous system

Ex. Serotonin - plays the most significant role in aggression and violence

Hormones: compounds released by endocrine gland

Ex. Testosterone

Question 14

Executive function

Answer 14

Refers to the higher levels of cognitive processes that organize and plan behaviour, including logic and abstract reasoning.

Question 15

Phrenology

Answer 15

(Franz Gall, 1758)

Says that body constitution might reflect personality.

Question 16

Cranioscopy

Answer 16

Personality can be revealed by study of the skull (shape, size)

Question 17

Atavism

Answer 17

• developed by Cesare Lombroso

Interested in physical features of criminals (head size, eyes, ears, etc.)

• believed criminals had inadequate biological makeup

Question 18

3 Somatotypes

Answer 18

1. Endomorph
2. Mesomorph
3. Ectomorph

Question 19

Facial attractiveness and crime

Answer 19

attractive people are judged more positively

• They also tend to be more successful, have better social skills, and better mental health (which means lesser chance of antisocial behaviour)

Question 20

Somatotyping

Answer 20

Relating physique to delinquency

Question 21

Endomorph

Answer 21

• the biggest of the three
• soft and round

Temperament:

viscerotonic - sociable, relaxed, loves to eat

7-1-1

Question 22

Ectomorph

Answer 22

• the smallest of the three
• fragile and thin

Temperament:

Cerebrotonic - restrained, introverted, intellectual

1-1-7

Question 23

Mesomorph (found most delinquent)

Answer 23

• middle of the three types
• muscular and triangular
• most aggressive and ruthless in relationships with others

Temperament:

Somatotonic - adventurous, competitive, active, physically oriented

1-7-1

Question 24

Result of studying somatotypes relation to crime

Answer 24

Some of the evidence does suggest a relationship between body and crime, but there is also a significant amount of evidence that indicates there is no relationship.

• the research is equivocal and far from conclusive

Question 25

Minor physical anomalies (MPAS)

Answer 25

These are subtle abnormalities of the head, face, and limbs that do not have functional impact on the individual

• 6 studies have shown association between MPAs and antisocial behaviour in children

Question 26

Conclusion

Answer 26

Crime, like all human behaviour, may result from an individual’s biological and genetic makeup.