Crim unit 2 (Biological)

Question 1

What are the genetic studies?

Answer 1

Jacobs XYY study, Twin studies, Adoption studies.

Question 2

Brief summary of Jacobs XYY study.

Answer 2

If a man has an extra Y chromosome, they’re more likely to become a violent criminal.

Question 3

How many babies are born with an extra Y chromosome?

Answer 3

1/1000 new-born babies.

Question 4

How many times was an XYY male more likely to commit a crime compared to a man with XY chromosomes?

Answer 4

10 times more likely.

Question 5

What are the limitations for Jacobs XYY study?

Answer 5

XYY men usually commit non-violent crimes.

We therefore can’t categorise all crime into one factor.

Question 6

Brief summary of adoption studies.

Answer 6

If the adopted child’s biological parents are criminal, they are more likely to commit property crime.

Question 7

Is property crime more likely to occur with adopted girls or boys?

Answer 7

Boys.

Question 8

What study was carried out in Lowa (adoption studies)?

Answer 8

If adopted child’s parents were born to imprisoned female offenders, the child had a higher rate of criminal convictions when an adult.

Question 9

What are the limitations for adoption studies?

Answer 9

Age of adoption makes a difference.
Information about the biological parents isn’t always available.
Adopted children usually go into families similar to biological family.

Question 10

Brief summary of twin studies.

Answer 10

1 out of each twin committed a crime, If they are monozygotic twins(identical), they are more likely to be criminal.

Question 11

What are the key stats for twin studies ?

Answer 11

10/13 MZ twins=both criminal.
2/17 DZ twins= both criminal.
50% of MZ twins=criminal.
20% of DZ twins=criminal.

Question 12

What does MZ and DZ stand for? Give a definition of each.

Answer 12

MZ= Monozygotic, identical/share all genetic material/1 egg.
DZ= Dizygotic, share half genetic material/2 eggs.

Question 13

What are the limitations of twin studies?

Answer 13

Small sample size(30 twins only).

Inadequately controlled.

Question 14

What are the physiological studies? (including the extra’s)

Answer 14

Lombroso and Sheldon.

Extras (Phineas Gage, Neurochemical and Serotonin).

Question 15

Brief summary of Lombroso’s theory.

Answer 15

Criminals are a separate species.
They have atavistic characteristics.
He believes we should remove all abnormal people.

Question 16

Give 5 characteristics that distinguish if a person is criminal.

Answer 16

Monobrows, extra fingers, large jaws, long arms, larger hands.

Question 17

How many of abnormal characteristics did a male/female need to be a criminal?

Answer 17

Men =5 or more

Women =3 or more.

Question 18

What did Lombroso mean by the term ‘stigmata’?

Answer 18

Abnormalities.

Question 19

What did Lombroso find about the Italian soldiers/prisoners?

Answer 19

They were physically different.

Italian prisoners= ‘monkey-like ears’.

Question 20

What are some other characteristics Lombroso thought linked to specific crimes?

Answer 20

Tattoo’s=shows insensitivity to pain/ immorality.
Murders’=Blood shot eyes.
Sex offenders=Big lips/big hands.

Question 21

What is the main limitation to Lombroso’s theory?

Answer 21

Scientific racism.

DELISI- most atavistic features are specific to people with an African decent.

Question 22

Other limitations of Lombroso’s theory.

Answer 22

Too simplistic.

Other factors like wealth, health and other social factors.

Question 23

Brief summary of Sheldon’s theory.

Answer 23

If you are in the mesomorphic body shape then you are most likely to commit a crime.

Question 24

What are the 3 body types Sheldon came up with?

Give a definition of each.

Answer 24

Endomorphic (fat and soft). Relaxed and sociable.
Ectomorphic (thin and fragile). Withdrawn and private.
Mesomorphic (muscular and hard). Dominant and aggressive.

Question 25

Who was least likely to commit a crime in Sheldon’s theory?

Answer 25

Ectomorphic.

Question 26

Why are mesomorphs most likely to commit a crime?

Answer 26

They are strong men, with higher testosterone levels leading to higher levels of aggressiveness.

Question 27

What are the limitations for Sheldon’s theory?

Answer 27

You can change body types throughout your life.

Not all mesomorphs are criminal/not all ectomorphs are non-criminal.