unit 2 - AC 2.1 Flashcards by beth connolly

biological theories ?

•genetic theories
•physiological theories

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genetics theories?

• jacobs xyy theory
• twin and adoption studies

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physiological theories?

• lombroso
• sheldon
• brain abnormality
• neurochemical

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what is the XYY Theory?

• genetic theory
• The Super Male Syndrome
• chromosomal abnormality within males

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what happens when men have the XYY?

become more aggressive and violent due to extra testosterone in Y chromosome.

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characteristics of an XYY male?

• learning disabilities
• abnormally taller
• sever acne in teenage years
• IQ is lower

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jacob et al suggesting on xyy male?

15/1000 in prisons
1/1000 in normal population

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evaluation of jacobs XYY theory.

+ scientifically measured
+ levels of aggression linked with testosterone
+ lead to reducing drugs

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what are twin studies?

support the connection of heritable trait between twins that increase criminal behaviour.

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identical twins?

• monozygotic
• share 100% of dna
• concordance rate of criminality

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non identical twins?

•dizygotic
• share 50% of dna

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nature vs nurture of twin studies?

• genetics and nature plays a role in concordance rate

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johannes lange findings?

MZ twins showed a much higher concordance rate : 10/13

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evaluation of twin studies

•tested unequal amount of twins - reduces population validity
•small sample size - lowers validity

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what are adoption studies?

compares criminals with there biological and adoptive parents

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what does nature refer to in adoption studies?

the impact of genetics and biological parents on criminality

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what does nurture refer to in adoption studies?

impact of being brought up by adoptive parents

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hutchings and Mednick

14,000 adopted children had high proportion of boys with criminal records who’s biological parents had criminal record

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Hutchings and Mednick findings

• no concordance rate between criminal convictions and adopted parents

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evaluation: adoption studies

+ provide bigger picture - this is holistic research which increases validity.
+ scientific

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physiological theories

• lombroso
• sheldon
• brain abnormality
• neurochemical

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Lombroso

argued criminals where a subspecies of human that carried atavistic features (facial features)

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examples of atavistic feature

• low sloping forehead
• upturned nose
• large forward jaw

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lombroso atavistic experiment

examined facial features of
• 383 dead criminals
• 3,839 alive criminals

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evaluation: lombroso

- subjective opinion - no scientific evidence - leads to self fulfilling prophecy

william sheldon

a persons physical form determines criminality

3 types of somatotypes

• Endomorphic • Ectomorphic • Mesomorphic

Endomorphic

• fat / soft • sociable and relaxed

Ectomorphic

• thin / fragile • introverted and restrained

Mesomorphic

• muscular / hard • aggressive and adventurous

sheldon’s findings

mesomorphic somatotypes where more criminal prone and committed violent act

Brain abnormality

when damage to the pre frontal cortex or amygdala causes altered behaviour

criminal behaviour of brain abnormality

• immature (PFC) • loss of self control (PFC) • no empathy (A) • no remorse (A)

biological factors of brain abnormalities

• birth complication • low resting heart rate • high risk pregnancy

social risk factors of brain abnormality

• age • gender • employment • neglect

Raine Et Al’s findings

• used pet scans • impulsive killers had damage to pre frontal cortex • Amydala controls empathy and remorse

Phineas Cage

• metal rod through eye in freak accident • damage to brain and behaviour

Evaluation: brain abnormalities

+ hard objective scientific evidence - still chance of human error

neurochemical

low levels of serotonin leads to higher aggression as serotonin regulates signals between neurons which controls moods

Scerbo and Raine

Evaluation: neurochemical

Individualistic Theories

• Psychodynamic • Psychological • Social learning theory

Social Learning Theory

Bandura • criminality is created by observing role models as they gain pleasure from an activity • aggression is learned from seeing others in environment

Bobo Doll Experiment

• exposed children to an agressive and none aggressive model • adults kicked and pummelled bobo doll • children imitated behaviour seen

bobo doll findings

• aggressive - imitated aggressive behaviour • children improvised ways to be aggressive • guns and darts

Violence is produced by

• learned skills • success and rewards • pro violence values

behaviourists belief

all behaviour is learnt through reinforcements

Positive reinforcement

• negative consequences which encourages good behaviour

negative reinforcement

positives punishment

negative punishment

bobo doll follow up study

Positive Evaluation : bandura Social Learning Theory

• understands media’s influence • leads to practical applications • age ratings

Negative Evaluation : Bandura Social Learning Theory

• socially sensitive - parents held accountable and blamed • doesn’t consider natures effect- brain abnormality , diet

Sutherland : Differential Association

criminality is learnt through different experiences and being around certain people

examples : sutherland

• witness family dealing drugs • seeing others teenagers drinking

Sutherland : osborn and west

• criminal fathers have 40% of criminal sons • non criminals - 13% had no criminal sons

Surherland : evaluation

+ practical applications - parental learning classes - no individual differences - personality

Photodynamic theory

• Sigmund Freud • unconscious mind controls behaviour • understand behaviour through childhood experiences

Freud : Tripartite structure

• The Id • The Ego • The superego

Freud : what is the ID

• controls the selfish and animalistic urges • if unbalanced it wants instant gratification

Freud : what is the Ego

• seeks rational and sensible control • if unbalanced it won’t make realistic and practical ideas

Freud : what is the Superego

• The Moral Conscience • If unbalanced it won’t tell us right from wrong

Psychological Theories

• Bowlby - maternal deprivation • Hanse Eysenck - personality

Bowlby - Maternal Deprivation definition

the separation in early life which causes permanent emotional damage -> affectionless psychopathy

Bowlby - Affectionless Psychopathy definition

The lack of : • emotion • empathy • stable relationships