Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WJEC Criminology at PHS > Unit 2 AC2.1 AC3.2 Describe/evaluate biological theories of criminality > Flashcards

Unit 2 AC2.1 AC3.2 Describe/evaluate biological theories of criminality Flashcards

1
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals - Key ideas

A

Criminals are physically different from non-criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals - Study

A

Measured many criminals’ heads and faces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals - Findings

A

Criminals more likely to have large jaws, long arms, aquiline noses.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals - Atavism

A

Criminals are throwbacks to primitive stage of evolution – pre-social, impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals - Further work

A

Insane criminals, epileptic criminals. Criminaloids – product of environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Strength

A

First person to study crime scientifically.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Strength

A

Shows imoportance of clinical and historical records of criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Strength

A

Helps to focus on how prevention not punishment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Limitation

A

No further evidence to link facial features and criminality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Limitation

A

Did not compare with control group of non-criminals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Physiological theories - Lombroso: Born Criminals -Limitation

A

Racist. Equates criminals with savages/ non-western society.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory - Key idea

A

Somatype (body type) is related to criminality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Study

A

Looked at body types and compared with likelihood of criminality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Findings

A

Mesomorphic somatype most likely to be criminal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Reason?

A

Attracted by risk-taking and their physique and assertiveness are important assets in crime.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Strength

A

Other studies replicate findings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Strength

A

Most serious delinquents had most mesomorphic bodies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Limitation

A

Criminality likely to be a combination of biology and environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Limitation

A

Mesomorphic build may be result of criminality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Limitation

A

Social class might be true cause of offending and mesomorphy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Physiological theories - Sheldon: Somatotypes theory -Limitation

A

Mesomorphs more likely to be labelled.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Atavism

A

The idea that criminals are ‘throwbacks’ to more primitive stage of evolution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Endomorph

A

Rounded, soft bodied, lacking muscle. Sociable, relaxed, outgoing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Ectomorph

A

Thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle. Flat chested, narrow hips and shoulders, thin face. Self conscious, emotionally restrained, thoughtful.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Mesomorph
Muscular, hard-bodied, little fat, strong limbs, broad shoulder, narrow waist. Adventurous, sensation-seeking, assertive, domineering.
26
Physiological theories
These biological theories claim that the physical features of criminals differ from non-criminals.
27
Biological theories
Criminals are biologically different from non-criminals and this difference causes them to commit crime.
28
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies - Key idea: Twins
If crime is genetic – identical (Mz) twins should have identical criminality
29
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Twin study findings
Christiansen: Concordance in criminality Mz = 52% vs Dz = 22%
30
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Key idea: Adoption
Adoptees share environment of adoptive parents/genes of biological parents. If genetic, criminality will match biological parents more.
31
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Adoption Study findings
Mednick et al: birth parent concordance = 20% vs. adopted parent concordance = 14.7%
32
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Strength
Twin & adoption studies give some support to genetic explanations
33
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Strength
Adoption studies overcome the problem of isolating genes and environment
34
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Strength
Research design of Adoption studies is logical (nature vs nurture)
35
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Limitation
If criminality was only genetic MZ twins would have 100% concordance.
36
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Limitation
It is impossible to isolate genetic effects fully from environmental ones.
37
Genetic theories - Twin and Adoption Studies -Limitation
Adopted children often placed with similar families to their birth family
38
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Key idea
XYY syndrome in males makes them genetically predisposed to criminality.
39
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Study
Compared rate of XXY in imprisoned criminals with general population.
40
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study -
Higher than average proportion of inmates had XYY
41
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Features of XXY
Very tall, well-built, low intelligence, high aggression, violent.
42
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Strength
Jacob et al found association with XXY and violent prisoners
43
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Strength
Price & Watmore found links with XYY and property crime
44
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Limitation
Having the syndrome doesn’t mean that is the cause of crime
45
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Limitation
XXY men fit stereotype of violent offenders – labelling theory
46
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Limitation
Low intelligence of XYY may give higher chance of being caught
47
Genetic theories - Jacob's XYY study - Limitation
Syndrome is too rare to explain much crime
48
Genetic explanation
Criminality is the result of genes inherited from biological parents
49
Monozygotic
Identical twins that share 100% of the same genes
50
Dizygotic
Non-identical twins that share only 50% of the same genes (like ordinary siblings)
51
Environmental explanation
Criminality is the result of the surroundings a child grows up in
52
Chromosome
Made from DNA and protein. Carry genetic information we inherit from our parents. Most people have 23 pairs.
53
Super-male
Another term for XYY syndrome. Those affected carry an extra Y (male) chromosome on one of their 23 pairs.
54
Brain injuries and disorders - Injuries: Key idea
Brian injury can change personality and are more common in prisoners
55
Brain injuries and disorders -Case study
Phineas Gage- metal rod through the brain. Survived but personality changed.
56
Brain injuries and disorders -Disorders: Key idea
Some brain diseases have been linked with criminal or anti-social behaviour. Dementia, Encephalitis Lethargica’ brain tumours, Huntington’s chorea.
57
Brain injuries and disorders -EEG readings
Some studies show abnormal EEG readings in psychopathic criminals
58
Brain injuries and disorders -Strength
A few extreme cases do show brain injury leads to changes in behaviour including criminality.
59
Brain injuries and disorders -Strength
Some correlation between abnormal EEG readings and psychopathy
60
Brain injuries and disorders -Strength
Prisoners are more likely than non-prisoners to have a brain injury.
61
Brain injuries and disorders -Limitation
Crimes caused by brain injury or disease are rare. Original personality more important.
62
Brain injuries and disorders -Limitation
Abnormal EEG not necessarily the cause and not found in all psychopaths
63
Brain injuries and disorders -Limitation
Prisoner’s higher likelihood of brain injury may be affect of criminality mot cause – e.g. getting into fights.
64
Biochemical explanations - Key idea
Biochemical substances and processes linked to criminality
65
Biochemical explanations -Sex Hormones: Males
Ellis and Coontz: testosterone peaks puberty to early 20s – same as criminality.
66
Biochemical explanations -Sex Hormones: Females
PMT, PND, Lactation all used as defence in court – affected mood/self-control.
67
Biochemical explanations -Blood sugar
Hypoglycaemia linked to aggression
68
Biochemical explanations -Substance abuse
Prescription and illegal drugs and alcohol linked to crime. Can lead to increased aggression.
69
Biochemical explanations -Other substances
Lead, tartrazine linked to hyperactivity. Vit B deficiency linked to erratic behaviour.
70
Biochemical explanations -Strength
Biochemical factors recognised by the courts
71
Biochemical explanations -Strength
Sex hormones, alcohol, drugs all known to affect mood/behaviour
72
Biochemical explanations -Limitation
Biochemical processes may need an environmental trigger too
73
Biochemical explanations -Limitation
Some studies find testosterone not linked to physical aggression
74
Biochemical explanations -Limitation
Infanticide may be caused by isolation rather than hormones
75
General criticisms of biological theories - Environmental factors
Biology may give potentially criminal characteristics but need environmental trigger too.
76
General criticisms of biological theories -Sample bias
Only studying criminals means we don’t know about those who got away – can’t genralise
77
General criticisms of biological theories -Gender bias
Most biological research only tells us about male criminality
78
General criticisms of biological theories -Crime is a social construct
Biological theories look for universal explanations, but crime varies over time, place and culture
79
EEG
Electroencephalogram – measures brain activity
80
Testosterone
Male sex hormone linked to aggression, murder and rape
81
PMT
Pre-menstrual tension – fluctuation in female sex hormones
82
PND
Post-natal depression – used as defence in infanticide
83
Lactation
Breast-feeding. Used as defence in female crimes.
84
Hypoglycaemia
Low blood-sugar. Linked to aggression and alcohol abuse

WJEC Criminology at PHS (30 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions