Chapter 2: Theories of Crime - biological and evolutionary explanations. Flashcards
Who is Cesare Lombroso?
he is the father of criminology
What did Cesare add to behavioral psychology?
Phrenology - shape and size of head relates to personality cognitive behavioral.
What are Atavisms?
a tendency to revert to something ancient or ancestral
Who is Charles Darwin?
evolution and natural selection
What did Francis Galton invent?
Eugenics
What is Eugenics?
higher rates of reproduction for people with highly desired traits
What are some of the biological theories of crime?
genetics, neurochemistry, brain, other biological considerations
What is the percentage of the adopted child being involved in crime if neither the biological dad nor adopt dad are?
13.5%
What is the percentage of the adopted child being involved in crime if the biological dad isn’t, but the adopted dad is?
14.7%
What is the percentage of the adopted child being involved in crime if the biological dad is, but the adopted dad is not?
20%
What is the percentage of the adopted child being involved in crime if both the biological dad is and the adopted dad is?
24.5%
What are the three key brain neurotransmitters?
- Norepinephrine
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
Low activity MAOA gene causes?
antisocial behaviour
What Neurochemistry is related to crime?
the link between testosterone and aggression.
What is the role of serotonin and behavior?
lower levels of serotonin among antisocial individuals
impulsivity, irritability and aggression
What is related to fearlessness?
underactive BIS
What is the frontal lobe purpose?
cognitive reasoning, planning, sound judgement, patience, abstract thoughts, moral reasoning, violence, and aggression regulation.
What is the temporal lobe and the limbic system (amygdala & hippocampus) for?
emotional and fear situations, memory, learning, and emotional regulation.
What does the prefrontal lobe for?
emotional processing, decision-making, impulse control and cognitive flexibility
What are the 4 evolutionary theories of crime?
- life history theory
- psychopathy
- male-male competition
- female criminality
What does a chaotic childhood do?
sporadic employment, more special partners, more aggression, delinquency, crime later in life.
Why does male-male competition entail?
if reputation depends on ability to maintain credible threat of violence, homicide as a response to perceived reputation/status threats.
