Forensics - Biological Explanations of Offending Behaviour

Question 1

what is the atavistic form?

Answer 1

proposes that criminals are a subspecies of genetic throwbacks that cannot conform to rules of modern society

distinguishable by facial and cranial characteristics

Question 2

why did lombroso think that criminals were different to the rest of the population?

Answer 2

he said they lacked evolutionary development

Question 3

what facial characterstics were associated with criminals?

Answer 3

strong and prominent jaw

facial asymmetry

high cheekbones

Question 4

what bodily characterstics were associated with criminals?

Answer 4

dark skin

extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 5

what characteristics did lombroso say that murderers have?

Answer 5

bloodshot eyes

curly hair

long ears

Question 6

what characteristics did lombroso say that sexual deviants have?

Answer 6

glinting eyes

swollen/fleshy lips

Question 7

what characteristics did lombroso say fraudsters have?

Answer 7

thin and reedy lips

Question 8

what did lombroso suggest should happen to genetically ‘unfit’ people?

Answer 8

they should be prevented from breeding

Question 9

what is the atavistic form based on?

Answer 9

research on post-mortem exams on criminals and studying the faces of living criminals

Question 10

what are the disadvantages of the atavistic form?

Answer 10

gender bias - theory reflects views on women at the time, beta bias and androcentric research

no control groups to compare criminals to

cultural bias - most characteristics are specific to non-white people - beta bias

Question 11

what are the advantages of the atavistic form?

Answer 11

first form of criminology - inspired future research

Question 12

which 2 genes have been found to help cause criminality?

Answer 12

MAOA

CDH13

Question 13

what is the function of the CDH13 gene?

Answer 13

lows down axon growth when neurons change structure or type

slows down the natural death of vascular cells around neurons during periods of stress

Question 14

why does the CDH13 slow down axon growth?

Answer 14

helps conserve energy and speed up the change of neurons

Question 15

why does the CDH13 gene slow down cell death during periods of stress?

Answer 15

natural defence against harmful stress

Question 16

what form of the CDH13 gene is present in criminals?

Answer 16

a high activity form

Question 17

what effects does a high activity form of CDH13 have?

Answer 17

interrupts building and strengthening of some neural networks during their development

some networks less well developed or connected

Question 18

what causes a high activity form of the CDH13 gene?

Answer 18

childhood stress/trauma can affect the gene via epigenetics

Question 19

what is the function of the MAOA gene?

Answer 19

produces MAO-A enzymes

Question 20

what is the monoamine hypothesis?

Answer 20

monoamines are broken down by enzyme MAO-A

if MAOA gene damaged, enzyme is not produced so too high levels of monoamines

unable to control impulse control

Question 21

what are monoamines?

Answer 21

a group of neurotransmitters

eg serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine

Question 22

why are men 2x more likely to experience effects from a damaged MAOA gene?

Answer 22

if you have 1 copy of the gene - no effects experienced

gene exists on X chromosome

women 2x more likely to have a functioning form of the gene

Question 23

what is an example of a study that supports the monoamine hypothesis?

Answer 23

brunner et al

Question 24

what was the aim of Brunner’s experiment into the MAOA gene?

Answer 24

to explain the behaviour of a large family where the males are affected by borderline mental retardation and abnormal violent behaviour

Question 25

what was the method of Brunner’s experiment into the MAOA gene?

Answer 25

examination of male family members, including behaviours, and compare to female family members

Question 26

which abnormal violent behaviours were found in Brunner’s study?

Answer 26

sepeated episodes of aggressive + violent behaviour

sleep disturbances + night terrors

inappropriate sexual behaviour towards female relatives

arson

Question 27

what were the findings of Brunner’s study?

Answer 27

all affected males had a mutated form of the MAOA gene

all affected males mentally retarded, only one completed primary education

Question 28

what are some advantages of brunner’s study?

Answer 28

objective study - used DNA - valid as no investigator bias

applications - allows for development of treatments for mutated MAOA gene

Question 29

what are the disadvantages of Brunner’s study?

Answer 29

correlational not causation

unethical to label people with the mutated gene as potential criminals - could lead to self fufilling prophecy

generalisability - 1 family in netherlands

gender bias - can only explain males

reductionist - doesn’t account for social factors or diathesis-stress - link to nature/nurture

Question 30

what were the findings of an adoption study into genetics causing criminality?

Answer 30

roughly:

13% criminal children with no criminal parents

15% criminal with at least 1 criminal adoptive parent

20% criminal with at least 1 criminal bio parent

25% criminal with at least 1 criminal bio + adoptive

Question 31

what is the diathesis-stress model for genetics and criminality?

Answer 31

if someone is genetically predisposed AND experiences stress/trauma, it will lead to criminal behaviour

Question 32

what is the neuroanatomical explanation for criminality?

Answer 32

damage to prefrontal cortex or amygdala can cause criminal behaviours

Question 33

what is a case study that shows the role of the frontal lobe in criminal behaviours?

Answer 33

case of Phineas Gage

Question 34

what is the case of phineas gage?

Answer 34

had a metal bolt through skull and prefrontal area of his brain

recovered physically but drastic personality change from quiet and sober to violent drunk

Question 35

what does the case of phineas gage conclude about the role of the prefrontal lobe?

Answer 35

keeps behaviour in check

moderates impulses

Question 36

what role does the amygdala play in criminal behaviours?

Answer 36

amygdala linked to emotion

psychopaths lack empathy, remorse or guilt due to a damaged amygdala

Question 37

what research supports the amygdala affecting criminal behaviour?

Answer 37

18% volume reduction of amygdala in people with antisocial personality disorder compared to a control

Question 38

what are mirror neurons?

Answer 38

type of brain cell that fires when you do an action, and when you watch someone else doing the same action.

Question 39

how are mirror neurons linked to criminal behaviours?

Answer 39

research shows mirror neurons only activated when asked to empathise

in control always active and always empathising

Question 40

what are the advantages of genetic explanations of criminality?

Answer 40

reliable

lots of research support

objective not subjective

applications to genetic treatments

Question 41

what are the disadvantages of genetic explanations for criminality?

Answer 41

reductionist - can’t explain non-violent crimes

reductionist - doesn’t account for diathesis stress

determinist - not everyone with the genes will become a criminal

Question 42

what are the advantages of neural explanations for criminality?

Answer 42

applications for treatments - ecological validity

objective research

Question 43

what are the disadvantages of neural explanations for criminality?

Answer 43

determinist - not everyone with these abnormalities will become criminals

reductionist - ignoring diathesis-stress

based on research into aggression not offending behaviour

correlation vs causation