unit 3 evaluation

Question 1

ADVANTAGES of inherited criminality explanation (research support from adoption studies)

Answer 1

• Crowe found that adopted children who had a biological parent with a criminal record had a 38% greater risk of having a record by 18 years.

Question 2

DISADVANTAGES of inherited criminality explanation (problems with determinist explanations)

Answer 2

Genetic explanations presented as if the genes a person has determines their behaviour. Tihonen et al said those with the defective gene were x13 more likely to have history of violence but not everyone with it became criminal

Question 3

DISADVANTAGES of inherited criminality explanation (explaining non violent crime)

Answer 3

-Most genetic research relates to association between violent behaviour and crime, so it only accounts for violent crimes.

Question 4

ADVANTAGES of inherited criminality explanation (problems with determinist explanations)

Answer 4

The law questions if the cause of behaviour is outside their control, its harder for some to avoid criminal violence due to their biology and environment. So determinist view can’t be ruled out

Question 5

DISADVANTAGES of inherited criminality explanation (brain differences cause or effect)

Answer 5

• For genes to cause crim behaviour they must be linked to a physical or psychological effect like differences in the brain. Many criminals report head injury..
• So may be nurture not nature