Topic 2 - Biological Theories of Crime Flashcards
what are the physiological theories of criminality
Lombroso & The ‘Criminal Man’
Sheldon & Somatotypes
what are the genetic theories of criminality
Criminal Genes
XYY Syndrome
what is Atavism (Lombroso core knowledge)
atavism - the recurrence of a trait or characteristic which would typically be associated with an ancient ancestor
what is the core knowledge of Lombroso’s theory
criminals were atavistic, and their physical characteristics demonstrated an earlier primitive stage of evolution
believed criminals represented an earlier primitive stage of evolution
Characteristics involved being pre-social, unable to control their impulses and a reduced sensitivity to pain
“savages” “apes”
What is the expanded knowledge of Lombroso’s theory
he believed that some individuals were ‘born criminal’ & criminality was inherited - passed down from generation to generation, biologically
As crime was seen to be ‘inherited’ it was assumed nothing could be done about it
what is the evidence of Lombroso’s theory
The Criminal Man Study (1876)
In 1876 Lombroso studied around 3,839 alive and 383 dead criminals
He measured their skull sizes, alongside other parts of the body including height, arm span, the size of their hands, necks, thighs, legs, and feet and their eye color
What is the core knowledge of sheldon’s somatotypes
Sheldon developed the idea of somatotypes; a way to classify people by body type
He identified 3 main somatotypes:
Endomorph (Endormorphic)
Mesomorph (Mesomorphic)
Ectomorph (Ectomorphic)
He predicted that mesomorphic builds would be more likely to be criminals
This was based around both biological and social reasons:
Biologically: Mesomorphs would likely have higher levels of testosterone which has a positive correlation with aggression.
Socially: Due to their physical advantages they might be more assertive and risk-taking, which may lead someone to engaging in risky criminal behaviours
what is the expanded knowledge of Sheldon’s somatotypes
Each body type had personality traits associated with them
personality of a mesomorph - Adventurous, assertive, competitive, and fearless
physical appearance of a mesomorph - Large bone structure, well-defined muscles, broad shoulders, narrow waists, and attractive, strong bodies
what is the evidence of Sheldon’s somatotypes
Sheldon examined a sample of photographs of 200 male college students and 200 male delinquents
Sheldon rated the photographs on a scale of 1 (low) - 7 (high) in relation to their ‘mesomorphy’
The results showed that the delinquents and criminal delinquents had a higher average mesomorphy rating (4.6, 5.4) compared to the college students (3.8)
What is the core knowledge of criminal genes
the MAOA gene breaks down neurotransmitters such as serotonin & dopamine in the brain
If the MAOA gene is defective then neurotransmitters can not be effectively regulated
This has been associated with violence and criminal behaviour
what is the evidence of the MAOA gene
Brunner et al (1993):
28 males from a large Dutch family repeatedly involved in impulsive & aggressive violent criminal behaviour.
He found a mutation on the MAOA gene indicating low levels of MAOA in their brain
what is the expanded knowledge of criminal genes
CDH13 helps the development of normal neural connections in the brain (brain signals)
A particular variant of CDH-13 has been linked to poor impulse control, ADHD and substance abuse problems
A more recent study has suggested a link between CDH-13 and violent criminality
what is the evidence of CDH-13
Tiihonen et al. (2015)
Conducted a study in Finland on almost 900 criminals which revealed an association between the MAOA gene, CDH-13 gene and violent crime
what is the core knowledge of chromosomal abnormalities
Sometimes there can be a problem with sperm production which can result in a male ending up with an extra Y chromosome
This condition is known as XYY Syndrome
There are a range of other characteristics seen in those with XYY syndrome
what is the evidence of XYY syndrome
Jacobs et al.
Jacobs suggested men with XYY were more aggressive than typical XY men and therefore suggested a link between XYY and criminality
They found 15 men with XYY per 1000 in prisons compared to only 1 XYY case per 1000 men in the general population
what is the expanded knowledge of chromosomal abnormalities
Price et al (1966) explained that men with XYY are sometimes referred to as ‘super males’
The theory suggests these males are highly aggressive compared to both females and other males
what is the evidence of the ‘supermale’
Arthur Shawcross:
He was a serial killer who committed heinous crimes.
Forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis, who examined Shawcross, reported that he had an extra Y chromosome.
The presence of the XYY chromosome in Shawcross’s genetic makeup was brought up in discussions about his behavior
what is further evidence of criminal genes
Adoption studies
Hutchings & Mednick (1975)
Studied 14000 adoptees
High proportion of boys with criminal convictions had biological parents with criminal convictions
Suggests a genetic link - not environmental
Twin research
Lange (1929) found that 10 out of 13 MZ twins had both served time in prison, whereas only 2 out of 17 DZ twins had
In comparison to Christiansen (1977) study of 3,586 - who found the following
Monozygotic (identical) twins
Dizygotic (non identical) twins
strengths and weaknesses of Lombroso
strengths
Could be used to predict who will become criminal
Artificial intelligence has had some success at identifying criminals/non-criminals just using facial features
weaknesses
Simplistic explanation - reduces behaviour to physical looks when it’s very likely there are more influences
Not all people with atavistic features commit crime, and vice versa
Considered discriminatory - determining criminality based on looks
strengths and weaknesses of sheldon
strengths
Good at explaining violent crimes
Some evidence that a greater proportion of crimes committed by mesomorphs
Sheldon’s study supported the idea that criminal delinquents were more likely to be more mesomorphic in shape when compared to students
weaknesses
Ignores the role of other factors e.g. upbringing/sociological factors in criminality
Doesn’t explain why not all mesomorphs commit crime/why other body types can commit crime
Doesn’t explain all crime (only violent/physical crime)
Overstates the link between body type and personality
strengths and weaknesses of criminal genes
strengths
Good at explaining violent crimes
Most of the genes identifies relate to hormones and impulse control
Some evidence to support the theory (MAOA Gene, CH13 Gene, Twin/Adoption Studies by Lange, Christiansen)
Research into genetics is often highly scientific and therefore trusted (valid)
weaknesses
Evidence is lacking - these are relatively new discoveries
It is not clear whether there is a causal relationship (e.g. is the gene definitely causing the criminal behaviour?)
Doesn’t explain non-violent crimes as genes identified relate to aggression/impulsiveness
Doesn’t account for other factors involved in crime e.g. sociological factors
strengths and weaknesses of chromosomal abnormalities
strength
Good at explaining violent crimes
And somewhat explains the discrepancy between male and female offending
Some evidence to support the theory (Jacob)
weaknesses
Only relates to men - doesn’t explain why some women commit crime
Evidence is lacking, many individuals with XYY live normal lives with no obvious symptoms
Can’t explain non-violent crimes
Doesn’t account for other factors involved in crime e.g. sociological factors
