Lecture 2

Question 0

Out of the population who are the most likely to offend?

Answer 0

Young males.

Question 1

What is the common assumption of biosocial, biological and psychological theories of criminal behaviour?

Answer 1

Human beings possess unique characteristics which when influenced by the environment and/or situational variables may lead some to engage in criminal behaviour.

Question 2

What is an evolutional theory of crime?

Answer 2

• “survival of the fittest”
• Suggests that certain criminal behaviours have an adaptive
  value.

Question 3

What did Lombroso say about “born criminal” appearences?

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What are the concordance rates for criminal behaviours for twins?

Answer 4

60%

Question 5

What are the concordance rates for non-identical twins for criminal behaviour?

Answer 5

21%

Question 6

What is a big factor for differences to consider for twin studies? (in regarding criminal behaviour)

Answer 6

Different peer interactions.

Question 7

What did Hutchings & Mednick find in adoption studies regarding criminal behaviour?

Answer 7

22% of adoptees of criminal biological fathers

12% of adoptees of criminal adoptive fathers

Question 8

Genetically determined (towards criminal behaviour) does not mean genetically ___________.

Answer 8

Fixed

Question 9

What do temperamental influences of babies show?

Answer 9

There is a biologically based predisposition towards a particular affective orientations and behavioural reactions.

Question 10

What percentage of people are introversion, extraversion or ambiversion?

Answer 10

Introversion - 16%
Extraversion - 16%
Ambiversion - 68%

Question 11

What are the characteristics of introversion?

Answer 11

Thoughtful, controlled, avoid social interactions and sudden change.

Question 12

What are the characteristics of extraversion?

Answer 12

Sociable, outgoing, impulsive, sensation seeking, prone to

aggression.

Question 13

What part of the brain is related to extraversion/introversion?

Answer 13

Reticular Activation System (RAS)

Question 14

What does the reticular activation system (in the brain) do?

Answer 14

Arouses the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for higher order processing such as problem solving.

Question 15

What is the difference in RAS with introverts and extraverts?

Answer 15

Introverts - Already has a very stimulated RAS

Extraverts - Has an under-stimulated RAS

Question 16

What is eysenck’ theory of neuroticism?

Answer 16

Neuroticism runs on a continuum from stable to extreme. Neurotics have an overly sensitive limbic system allowing them to achieve a state of emotionality more quickly.

Question 17

What is eysenck’s theory of psychoticism?

Answer 17

Psychotics are characterized by interpersonal coldness, lack of
empathy, “unemotionality,” hostility and cruelty.

Question 18

What is the possible reason that could contribute to psychoticism? (as seen by eysenck)

Answer 18

• Excessive androgens (testosterone)

- Neurotransmitter deficits

Question 19

What is the relationship between criminality and personality?

Answer 19

• No relationship between extraversion and criminals
• No relationship between neuroticism and criminals
• Moderate relationship between psychoticism and criminals

Question 20

What does FAS stand for?

Answer 20

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Question 21

What is included in the standard diagnoses of FAS?

Answer 21

• History of maternal alcohol consumption
• Prenatal / Postnatal growth retardation
• Neurodevelopmental and behavioural characteristics
• Characteristics of facial features

Question 22

What are the growth retardations of people with FAS?

Answer 22

Smaller skulls, organs and fingers / toes.

Question 23

What are the behavioural characteristics of people with FAS?

Answer 23

Decrease in reasoning skills, impulsivity, cognition, etc.

Question 24

What are the facial characteristics in people with FAS?

Answer 24

Large ears, flat face.

Question 25

What are the primary disabilities of people with FASD?

Answer 25

• Disabilities arising from organic brain damage
• Microcephaly
• Fine-motor problems
• Visual-spatial problems
• “borderline” intellectual ability
• behavioural and cognitive disinhibition

Question 26

What are the secondary disabilities of FASD?

Answer 26

• Disabilities that arise due to vulnerabilities of the primary
  disabilities.
• Mental health problems, academic difficulties, legal issues,
  inappropriate sexual behaviour, alcohol and drug uses, dependent
  living
• Their naiveté leaves them open to be abused by predatory
  offenders. (on the street or while incarcerated.)
• “System charges” because they cant remember to appear in court
  or abide by conditions of release. (poor organizational skills.)