Physiological and non-physiological explanations of criminal behaviour

Question 1

Name the three Biological explanations for crime

Answer 1

1) Extra chromosomes

2) Low resting heart rate

3) Warrior gene

Question 2

What is the link between crime and extra chromosomes?

Answer 2

Normal males have XY chromosomes.
Criminals have XYY chromosomes, which makes them more aggressive.

Question 3

What percentage of Extra chromosome males make up the prison population?

Answer 3

1.5% prison population compared to 0.001% of the general population.

Question 4

What is the warrior gene?

Answer 4

•The warrior gene is something your born with.
•Increases your risk taking
•Greater levels of aggression when provoked

Question 5

Give an example of the warrior gene

Answer 5

Bradley Waldroup:
•Killed wife’s friend and seriously injured wife
•Defence argued he had warrior gene
• Jury gave him 32 years in prison , Voluntary manslaughter

Question 6

How does low resting heart rate link with criminals?

Answer 6

•Low resting heart rate is under 60bpm
•Can withstand more stress
•Require extreme risk to get a buzz
•May turn to crime

Question 7

What are the two Non-biological explanations for crime?

Answer 7

•Banduras- Social learning theory
•Sutherland-Differential association theory

Question 8

What is Banduras SLT link with crime?

Answer 8

Social learning theory-
•Imitate role models criminal behaviour
•The role model legitimises behaviour
•Raised in these conditions can normalise the behaviour

Question 9

How is Sutherlands theory linked to crime?

Answer 9

Criminal behaviour is a learned response.

Question 10

What is Sutherlands nine key ideas in summary?

Answer 10

•Learn criminal behaviour through a group(gang)
•Norms are favourable to criminal activity (terrorist groups)
•Individual in contact with a person favourable of crime,becomes acceptable.
•Acquire from social group techniques to break the law.