What Makes A Criminal

Question 1

Mesomorph:

Answer 1

Muscular, aggressive and most likely to be a criminal

Question 2

Ectomorph:

Answer 2

Thin, fragile, introverted

Question 3

Endomorphic:

Answer 3

Fat, relaxed and sociable

Question 4

Sheldon (1942)

Answer 4

Proposed the idea of different body types- stated that mesomorphic body types are most likely to become criminals.

Question 5

Weaknesses of Sheldon’s theory:

Answer 5

Assuming someone is a criminal by their body type makes people around them treat them like a criminal. Thus encouraging them to participate in criminal behaviour

Question 6

Lombroso (1867):

Answer 6

Suggested criminals have prominent jaws, large ears and elongated four heads.

Question 7

Plastic surgery for prisoners (overview):

Answer 7

• Self-fulfilling prophecy- villains are ugly

- thought that if you change appearance society will treat you differently and boost self-esteem

Question 8

What did Lewinson (1965) do?

Answer 8

Conducted 450 facial reconstructions on both male and female criminals

Question 9

How long did Lewinsons study last?

Answer 9

He observed their behaviour for 10 years

Question 10

What did the facial reconstructions include?

Answer 10

Broken noses
Removing scars
Deformed ears
Receding chins

Question 11

What was the immediate reaction after they had the surgery?

Answer 11

A psychological improvement- nicer to other prisoners and guards

Question 12

How many reoffended with/ without surgery?

Answer 12

With: 15% 3 years after release

Without: 36% 3 years after release

Question 13

Jacobs et Al genetic abnormality:

Answer 13

-extra Y chromosome was more aggressive and less intelligent than average

Nature, deterministic

Question 14

Twin studies:

Answer 14

Environment on children has big impact on criminal behaviour

Help parents provide a good upbringing

Question 15

Adoption studies:

Answer 15

If biological/ adopted parent was criminal- more likely to be criminal also

Nature and nurture

Question 16

Eron and Heusmann (1986) level of violence in tv programmes

Answer 16

More violence that boys watched= more likely to become a criminal

Measured how much violent tv watched in 7-8 year olds

Nurture

Question 17

Jahoda (1954) Ashanti people:

Answer 17

Boys born in a Wednesday are more likely to be aggressive
22% of criminals born on wed.

Individual
Deterministic

Question 18

Ageton and Elliot (1974) treatment of youth offenders:

Answer 18

If boys were caught- more likely to misbehave again as their behaviour fits the ‘label’. Also treated like a criminal in court

Deterministic (society)
Situational