Chap 3 SG Flashcards
Trait
notable features or qualities that are passed on from generation to generation (body types, facial features, and skull shapes as the way to determine criminal tendencies)
Positivism
a theory that criminal behavior is caused by internal or external influences that are beyond the control of the offender
Phrenology
This is the study of the shape of your
head to determine correlates of human behavior (craniology)
Atavism
criminals are physiological throwbacks to earlier stages of human development or evolution
Criminal anthropology
is the scientific study of
the relationship between your physical characteristics and criminality
Born criminal
has a genetic predisposition towards criminal behavior
Criminaloids
His first assertion was that 90% of criminals were born that way—he
later lowered it to 70%, admitting there were occasions where “normal
people” were pulled into a life of crime
Constitutional theories
those that explain crime is related to genetics, body types, and other physical attributes
Heredity
the passing of traits from parent to child that determines criminology
Behavioral genetics
used to study the heritability of criminal behavior and related traits
Eugenics
is the study and implementation of hereditary improvement though genetic control. Selective breeding to improve the human race
Genetic determinism
the idea that genetic factors are the primary cause of human behavior and criminal behavior, and that people are born criminals
Supermale
predisposed to violence and crime (XYY chromosome mutation in men)
Dizygotic twins
starts as two eggs and are no more related than other sibs. They just share a birthday
Monozygotic twins
one egg that splits after
fertilization. (Mono=one, zygote=fertilized egg)
Sociobiology
The systemic study of the biological basis
of all human behavior
Paradigm
an example, model, or theory
Altruism
selfless helping behavior
Gene pool
The total genetic information within a breeding population
Tribalism
the attitudes and behavior that result
from strong feelings of identification with one’s own social group
According to phrenology, what links do we see between skull shape and personality?
a theory of human behavior based upon the belief that an individual’s character and mental faculties correlate with the shape of their head
What physical traits did Cesare Lombrosso tie to criminality?
sloping forehead, ears of unusual size, asymmetry of the face
Which of Sheldon’s body type is most likely to be criminal?
mesomorphs
In what ways does tribalism benefit us?
allows scholars and the public alike to better understand crime as meaningful human activity (stemmed in the idea that we are the ones who know best and that we owe it to the world to stamp out those who don’t think like us)
In what ways does aggression benefit us?
linked to success as a professional athlete. And often in business and other professional arenas
Somatotyping
• Endomorphs: Soft and round—overweight with a big stomach.
• Mesomorphs: Athletic and muscular. Big boned with big muscles (most likely to be a criminal)
• Ectomorphs: Thin and fragile with little muscle tone and delicate
bones.
• Balanced type: In the middle/average of the other body types
