Lecture 2 Flashcards
Out of the population who are the most likely to offend?
Young males.
What is the common assumption of biosocial, biological and psychological theories of criminal behaviour?
Human beings possess unique characteristics which when influenced by the environment and/or situational variables may lead some to engage in criminal behaviour.
What is an evolutional theory of crime?
- “survival of the fittest”
- Suggests that certain criminal behaviours have an adaptive
value.
What did Lombroso say about “born criminal” appearences?
Criminals may be at more primitive, evolutionary stages. The basic features he observed were larger noses, lips and ears. Not all of them are born criminal. His theory was later revised to account for environmental influences (acting out of passion, insane, hysteric)
What are the concordance rates for criminal behaviours for twins?
60%
What are the concordance rates for non-identical twins for criminal behaviour?
21%
What is a big factor for differences to consider for twin studies? (in regarding criminal behaviour)
Different peer interactions.
What did Hutchings & Mednick find in adoption studies regarding criminal behaviour?
22% of adoptees of criminal biological fathers
12% of adoptees of criminal adoptive fathers
Genetically determined (towards criminal behaviour) does not mean genetically ___________.
Fixed
What do temperamental influences of babies show?
There is a biologically based predisposition towards a particular affective orientations and behavioural reactions.
What percentage of people are introversion, extraversion or ambiversion?
Introversion - 16%
Extraversion - 16%
Ambiversion - 68%
What are the characteristics of introversion?
Thoughtful, controlled, avoid social interactions and sudden change.
What are the characteristics of extraversion?
Sociable, outgoing, impulsive, sensation seeking, prone to
aggression.
What part of the brain is related to extraversion/introversion?
Reticular Activation System (RAS)
What does the reticular activation system (in the brain) do?
Arouses the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for higher order processing such as problem solving.