CRM Final Exam - Povitism Flashcards
Master terms
Who was Luka Magnotta?
A criminal known for the murder of Jun Lin and mailing his body parts.
What mental disorder was Luka Magnotta diagnosed with?
Paranoid schizophrenia.
What plea did Luka Magnotta enter regarding his crime?
Not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
How did the crown view Luka Magnotta’s mental illness?
As a personality disorder, not schizophrenia.
Where was Luka Magnotta found by the police?
At a café in Berlin, reading about himself.
What is Positive Criminology?
A response against Classical Criminology focusing on the underlying causes of criminal behavior.
What method does Positive Criminology apply?
The scientific method.
What are the two types of factors influencing criminal behavior?
- Internal factors (within the individual) * External factors (outside the individual)
What are the three factors that influence human behavior according to Positivist Criminology?
- Biological * Sociological * Psychological
What do positivists assume about criminals?
They are fundamentally different from noncriminals.
What is determinism in the context of Positivist Criminology?
The idea that most human behavior is determined by factors beyond free will.
What is hard determinism?
The belief that human beings have no choices in confronting situations.
What is soft determinism?
Also known as conditional free will, allowing for constrained choice.
What is the consensus approach in society according to Positivists?
Society is built upon a consensus about moral values.
Who was Alek Minassian?
A perpetrator involved in a killing spree in Toronto.
What is the Incel community?
A group of heterosexual men who face rejection from women, leading to hatred towards them.
What are the criticisms of Positivist Criminology?
- Assumption of difference * Overly deterministic * Over-prediction of crime * Discourse of non-responsibility * Ignores criminalization process * Assumes consensual worldview * Belief in objectivity of social scientists * Legitimization of ‘experts’ * Ethical concerns
What is biological positivism?
The perspective that genetic makeup influences criminal behavior.
What is eugenics?
The study of policies related to the improvement of the human race through selective reproduction.
What does craniometry focus on?
The belief that skull size represents superiority or inferiority among individuals.
What is phrenology?
The study of bumps on the skull to determine human dispositions.
Who is considered the father of criminology?
Cesare Lombroso.
What is Lombroso’s theory of atavism?
The belief that serious criminals are evolutionary throwbacks.
What did Lombroso observe in soldiers and criminals?
Their body characteristics
What must a criminal have to be atavistic?
5 or more stigmata
What does Lombroso believe Atavistic criminals are wired to do?
- engage in criminal behaviour
- live by their instincts (no impulse control)
- Lack the ability to learn and follow rules
What discovery did Lombroso make when preforming an autopsy on a criminal?
He observed that the skull resembled the skull of an ape
What are stigmata in Lombroso’s theory?
Physical manifestations of the atavism of the individual, with features indicating the prior evolutionary stages of development.
Examples of stigmata
*Small or large ears *chin, too small or too prominent *high cheek bones *irregular or large head *bushy eyebrows *tattoos
Habitual criminal
Individual commits a crime as a result of their environment and situation, ex poor family, no eduction.
What is the personality associated with an endomorphic body type?
Viscerotonic: jolly, lazy, happy-go-lucky.
Criminal by passion
Spontaneous crime that it inspired and triggered by emotion.
Insane criminal
Individuals who commit crime as a result of underlying mental health issue.
Criminaloid
Individual commits a crime of opportunity, not because they’re born bad.
Pseudo criminal
Individual commits the crime by accident or intentional in self defence or under duress.
What is the personality associated with a mesomorphic body type?
Somatotonic: risk-taking, aggressive, and competitive.
Occasional criminal
Individuals who commit crimes due to situational factors or environmental influences rather than inherent biological predispositions
What is Somatotyping theory
linked to William Sheldon
Somatotyping: The area of study, that links body type to risk for delinquent and criminal behaviour.
What is the significance of Charles Darwin to biological positivism?
His theory of evolution set the stage for biological explanations of behavior.
What are the three body types in somatotyping theory?
- Endomorph * Mesomorph * Ectomorph
What did Lombroso believe about born criminals?
They are biologically predisposed to crime and cannot deviate from their tendencies.
What is Lombroso’s expanded criminal typology?
Lombroso created expanded criminal types, as he was met with criticism that he did not consider social or situational indications.
What is the personality associated with an ectomorphic body type?
Cerebrotonic: Often introverted and sensitive.
Type of body shape associated with lower body fat, muscular, athletic build, and broader shoulders.
Mesomorph
Lower body fat, muscular, athletic, broader shoulders
Type of body shape associated with being overweight and shorter
Endomorph
Type of body shape associated with narrow shoulders, little body fat and muscles, thin, lean, tall.
Ectomorph
Narrow shoulders, little body fat and muscles, thin, lean, tall
Most likely body type associated with criminal behavior
Mesomorph
What leads to the development of certain body types and temperaments?
Heredity
How many chromosomes do humans have?
23
Chromosome pair for females
XX
Chromosome pair for males
XY
What syndrome is associated with having an extra Y chromosome?
XYY syndrome
Characteristics of XYY males
- Taller
- Delayed speech
- Learning disabilities
- ADHD
- On the autism spectrum
- Depression
- Acne
Tendency of XYY males in terms of aggression and criminal behavior
More aggressive and prone to criminal behavior
Is it their biology causing higher rates of aggression in XYY males?
Could be explained by other factors
Conclusion of the myth of ‘superman syndrome’ video regarding XYY men
Vast majority have no idea they have an extra Y, link to criminality was debunked
Who was accused of killing a friend/family member and other individuals?
Aaron Hernandez
What condition was found in Aaron Hernandez’s brain?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
What type of disease is Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?
Progressive neurodegenerative disease
Symptoms linked to Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
- Violent outbursts
- Increased frustration
- Depression
- Anxiety
What stage of CTE did Aaron Hernandez have?
Stage 3
