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3.3 Forensic psychology > Colleges > Flashcards

Colleges Flashcards

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1
Q

What traits are studied in genetic research on criminal behavior?

A
  1. Criminal behavior: Arrests, convictions, cautions, or self-reported offenses.
    1. Dimensional personality traits: Impulsivity, aggression, hostility.
    2. Psychiatric diagnoses: Conduct Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Substance Use Disorder.
    3. Protective factors: Intelligence, empathy.
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2
Q

What is the heritability estimate for criminal behavior?

A

Research suggests a genetic contribution of 40-50% for criminal behavior (Moffitt, 2005).

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3
Q

What are the findings from family studies on heritability and crime?

A
  1. 40% of criminal sons have criminal fathers (Osborn & West, 1979).
    1. 75% of criminal parents produce criminal children (Farrington & West, 1996).
    2. Crime runs in families (Farrington et al., 1975; Farrington et al., 2021).
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4
Q

What is the key assumption in twin studies?

A

The equal environments assumption: Identical (MZ) twins and fraternal (DZ) twins experience equally similar environments.

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5
Q

What do twin studies show about heritability and antisocial behavior?

A
  1. Severe antisocial behavior is more heritable than nonsevere behavior.
    1. Genetic effects on antisocial behavior increase with age, while shared environmental effects decrease.
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6
Q

What are the main challenges of adoption studies?

A
  1. Selective placement: Matching adoptive families with biological parents.
    1. Late adoption: Older age at adoption may involve trauma.
    2. Adverse environments: Children often come from and are placed into challenging conditions.
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7
Q

What is the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in crime?

A

The PFC is responsible for executive functions like planning and impulse control.
* Reduced grey matter and lower PFC activity are linked to antisocial and aggressive behavior.
* The PFC develops fully by age 25-30, supporting the age-crime curve.

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8
Q

How does the amygdala influence aggression?

A
  1. Overstimulation: Leads to violent, aggressive behavior.
    1. Lesions: Result in flat affect and reduced emotional responses.
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9
Q

What is the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and crime?

A
  • TBI, particularly in frontal and temporal regions, is linked to increased aggression and antisocial behavior.
    • Juvenile offenders have a high prevalence of brain injury history.
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10
Q

What did studies by Bufkin & Lutrell (2005) find about prefrontal dysfunction and aggression?

A
  • Lower prefrontal activity and reduced grey matter are linked to impulsive aggression.
    • Excessive subcortical activity is common in individuals with intense violent behavior.
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11
Q

What is the significance of the limbic system in aggression?

A

The amygdala and hypothalamus regulate emotions, fight-or-flight responses, and aggression.
* Overstimulation causes uncontrolled violence, while lesions result in reduced emotional responses.

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12
Q

What ethical concerns arise in genetic research on crime?

A
  1. Labeling: Associating individuals with criminal potential based on genetics may lead to bias and discrimination.
    1. Determinism: Misinterpretation of genetic findings could undermine personal accountability.
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13
Q

How do adoption studies support heritability of criminal behavior?

A
  • Crowe (1974): 50% of children with criminal biological mothers committed crimes by 18, compared to 5% without criminal biological mothers.
    • MZ twins raised apart show genetic influences on behavior independent of shared environment.
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14
Q

What is the difference between Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) and Antisocial Personality Pattern (APP)?

A
  • APD: Clinical diagnosis involving pervasive disregard for the rights of others.
    • APP: Behavioral and personality traits linked to criminal conduct; does not need to reach clinical levels.
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15
Q

What is Social Learning Theory according to Bandura?

A
  • New behaviors are learned through observation and imitation of others.
    • Focuses on rewards and punishments others receive for their actions.
    • Similarity to the observed person increases likelihood of learning.
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16
Q

What were the results of Bandura’s Bobo Doll Experiment?

A
  • Children who observed an aggressive model were more likely to show aggression toward the doll.
    • Aggression occurred whether the model was live, filmed, or cartoon.
    • Punishment and reward influenced the likelihood of imitating aggression.
17
Q

What are the criticisms of the Bobo Doll Experiment?

A
  1. Ecological validity: Lab settings differ from real-world experiences.
    1. Novelty of the doll: Children may not know what behavior is expected.
    2. Individual differences: Ignores temperament and personality traits.
    3. Ethical concerns: Would not pass modern ethical standards.
18
Q

What are social scripts and schemas in social cognitive learning?

A
  • Schemas: Rigid beliefs used to organize information.
    • Scripts: Predict how situations will unfold and guide behavior.
    • Shaped by experiences and exposure (e.g., media, upbringing).
19
Q

What is the hostile attribution bias?

A
  • The tendency to perceive ambiguous actions of others as hostile or threatening.
    • Strongly linked to aggression, especially in young people.
20
Q

What are the implications of exposure to violent video games?

A
  • Associated with aggressive beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
    • Leads to desensitization to violence and reduced prosocial behavior.
    • Protective factors, like non-violent family role models, can mitigate effects.
21
Q

How does violent pornography affect behavior?

A
  • Linked to sexual aggression, especially in individuals with preexisting deviant sexual scripts or antisocial traits.
    • Exposure to violence and domination in pornography may reinforce harmful attitudes.
    • Causality: Individuals with positive attitudes toward violence are more likely to seek out violent pornography.
22
Q

What is the General Personality and Cognitive Social Learning (GPCSL) Theory of criminal conduct?

A
  • Crime results from the interaction of personality traits, antisocial associates, and cognitive patterns.
    • Emphasizes the role of dynamic risk factors like attitudes, self-control, and peer influence.
23
Q

What is the Dark Tetrad of personality traits?

A
  • Subclinical psychopathy
    • Subclinical narcissism
    • Machiavellianism
    • Everyday sadism
24
Q

How do antisocial associates influence behavior?

A
  • Social exclusion may push individuals toward antisocial peers.
    • Peers reinforce criminal behaviors, creating a “school of criminal behavior.”
    • Group therapy in prison can inadvertently strengthen these associations.

3.3 Forensic psychology (9 decks)

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