CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY: topic 1 Flashcards
What is the ‘Atavistic Form’?
A theory that some criminals have a primitive inherited physiology that makes them less responsible for their actions.
This explanation was prepared by Lombroso in the 1870s and suggests some people are born with a criminal personality.
Features of the Atavistic Form?
thieves:
- expressive faces
- small wondering eyes
- sleight of hand / manual dexterity
murderers:
- cold stares
- bloodshot eyes
- big hawk-like noses
sex offenders:
- large protruding ears
- thick lips
Define the ‘Somatotypes theory’.
Somatotyping is the classifying of people into types according to body build.
Somatotype theory relates distinctive body types to personality characteristics and relates criminal behaviour to the body types.
What are the three different body types outlined by Sheldon’s somatotype study?
Ectomorph:
- very little body fat, thin arms and legs
- self-conscious, private, introverted,thoughtful and artistic
Mesomorph:
- large head, broad shoulders, muscular body, very little body fat
- adventurous, bold, competitive, a love for risk
Endomorph:
- wide hips, a lot of fat spread across the body
- sociable, fun-loving, tolerant, elated and affectionate
What is ‘Self-fulfilling Prophecy’?
A prediction that becomes true because an individual thinks it’s inevitable/ unavoidable- ‘destiny’
What does ‘Polygenic’ mean?
Describes how some traits are influenced by multiple genes, not just one.
Some traits such as skin colour, eye colour and crime are poly genetic traits meaning they are influenced by several genes
What did Jacob’s XYY theory suggest?
XYY men are over-represented in the prison population
in prison there are 15 sufferers per 1,000 people yet it only occurs in 1 per 1,000 births
Application 1 for what makes a criminal
Prison plastic surgery- constructed 450 facial reconstruction operations in a prison population (Lewison 1965). immediate change: psychological-increase in co-operation with authority and participation in prison activities raise in morale and reduction in hostility. Redicism rate was 42% considerably less than the 75% rate for the general population. However crimes may shift to more subtle antisocial crimes. Stroomer et al says it may not be improved appearance that is the casual factor for higher self-esteem in criminals. Rather post-operatively, patients tend to have different expressions hairstyles or makeup.
Application 2 for what makes a criminal
deficiencies in omega-3 may result in limited regulation of the limbic system by frontal lobes- the result is self-control problems and aggressive behaviour -> suplement of omega-3 may lead to improvements.
it has been suggested that antisocial behaviour in prisons including violence, is reduced by supplementary young offenders diet with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.
