Week 1- Intro + Genetics Flashcards
What is criminology
Study of
- Causes of crime
- Consequences of societal response to criminal justice
Initial theories of criminology
- Phrenology (1700s): skull shape and prominence determines our personality
- Atavistic stigmata (1800s): criminals determined by physical defects. Evolutionarily backward
Types of biopsychosocial effects
- Non- additive
- Additive
- Sequential
Antisocial Beh is umbrella term. Diff bw CD and APD
CD: child/ adolescents
APD: adults
What are the 3 measurements of criminal Beh
- Official report
- Self report
- Victimization survey
What is the best official measure of crime
Crimes reported to police
Where does the dark figure of crime lie in official reports
Non serious ends, as public pressure to solve serious ones
Where does dark figures lie in self reports
Serious ends, as ppl won’t admit serious crimes
Mala prohibita vs mala in se
Prohibita: only wrong cos of the particular time and cultures law
In se: morally wrong
What effect is shown when genes interact with envt
Non- additive effect
What do they look at when studying degree of heritability of behaviour
1/ twin studies
- Adoption studies
- Identifying genes
Components of variances that affect behaviour (nature + nurture)
ACE
Additive genetics: 45%
Common envt: 12%
Non shared envt: 43%
Do genetics play a role in behaviour
YES!!!!
Gene identifying strategies
- Candidate gene approach: search for genes involved in influencing ASB
- Genome- wide association approach: if SNP crosses threshold
How does monoamine oxide A interact w envt
- When no/ Low MAO-A, higher aggression ONLY IF envt is bad (probable & severe childhood maltreatment)
