Unit 2.1 Describe Biological theories of Criminality Flashcards
What is Jacobs XYY study?
A theory that suggests that crime can be attributed to an abnormality in chromosomes
The ‘super males’ of interest, more aggressive and violent in comparison with a male with only one y chromosome, occurring only in 1/1000 in the general population, but 15/1000 in prisons
What is the Twin Studies?
Support the claim that inherited traits may be the reason for criminal behaviour.
Monozygotic (identical) twins from one fertilised egg, so they share 100% of their DNA. Dizygotic are from two separate eggs, so only share 50%
What is the Adoption Study?
Suggests that criminal behaviour is explained through comparing criminals through their adoptive and biological parents.
Also questions influence of environment vs genetics ( if not bad with biological criminals, then enviroment)
Which biological theories are genetic?
XYY, Twin, Adoption
What is Lomboso’s theory of Criminality?
Argued that a born criminal could be identified through physical body features, and those that committed crime had these atavistic features, that were from more primitive times.
Criminals are a separate species.
What is Sheldon’s theory of criminality?
Like Lombroso, criminality is linked to physical form. Most likely to be criminals, Mesomorphic. 3 types of form created from photos of 4,000 men
Endomorphic- fat and soft (sociable)
Ectomorphic- thin and fragile (introverted)
Mesomorphic- muscular and hard (aggressive)
Sample of college students and delinquents rated on their resemblance to mesamorphy. Results shows that delinquents had a higher mesomorphy rating on average
What is the theory of brain abnormality?
Research studies suggest that damage ot the pre frontal cortex of the brain leads to individuals having altered behaviour, such as immaturity and an increased loss of self control.
What is the neurochemical theory of Criminality?
The brain’s chemistry can be influenced by diet, such as food additives, pollution or low blood sugar levels.
Serotonin may also influence criminality, as it regulates signals between neurons which is said to control a person’s mood.
Which Theories of Criminality are Physiological?
Lombroso, Sheldon, Brain Abnormality, Neurochemical.
Strengths of Lombroso’s theory?
First theory to give criminology scientific credibility
Challenged the idea that criminals are evil/ chose to be evil
formed the beginning of offender profiling
Weaknesses of Lombroso’s theory?
Lacked a control group meaning lack of comparisons
lack of accuracy due to possible disfigurements
not everyone with atavistic features are criminal, not all criminals have atavistic features
