Biological theories

Question 1

Give a summary of Biological theories.

Answer 1

Biological theories of crime argue that our genes can make it more susceptible for us to be criminals.
Criminal behaviour is caused by the genetic code we inherit from our parents.
Criminal conduct is ‘in born’

Question 2

Define Monozygotic.

Answer 2

Twins from the same egg

Question 3

Define Dizygotic

Answer 3

Twins from a different egg.

Question 4

If criminality is genetic, what does this mean in context of Monozygotic twins?

Answer 4

If one MZ twin engages in criminal action; then the other will be the same.

Question 5

Lange (1929) - What fraction of MZ twins go to prison?

Answer 5

10/13.

Question 6

Lange(1929) - What fraction of DZ twins go to prison?

Answer 6

2/17

Question 7

Christiansen (1977) - How many twins were tested?

Answer 7

3586 twins.

Question 8

Christiansen (1977) - What is the concordance rate for MZ twins?

Answer 8

52%

Question 9

Christiansen (1977) - What is the concordance rate for DZ twins?

Answer 9

22%

Question 10

Ishikawa and rein (2002) - What is the concordance rate between MZ twins?

Answer 10

44%

Question 11

Ishikawa and rein (2002) - What is the concordance rate between DZ twins?

Answer 11

21.6%

Question 12

Who conducted the theory: ‘born criminals’?

Answer 12

Lombroso.

Question 13

Outline Lombroso’s theory: ‘born criminals’.

Answer 13

• Criminals have different physical features in comparison to non-criminals.

Question 14

How did Lombroso come up with his theory: ‘born criminals’

Answer 14

• He measured and recorded details of heads and faces of thousands of prisoners.

Question 15

Give 2 examples of physical features criminals may have. This is in accordance to Lombroso’s theory of: ‘born criminals’.

Answer 15

1) Enormous Jaws
2) High cheek bones

Question 16

What is atavism (atavistic) in Lombroso’s theory of: ‘born criminals’.

Answer 16

• Primitive stages of evolution.

Question 17

If Criminals are atavistic (according to Lombroso’s theory of criminality), what 3 features does this give to criminals?

Answer 17

1) Pre-social
2)Unable to control their impulses
3)Reduced sensitivty to pain.

Question 18

Lombroso’s theory: ‘Born Criminals’

Due to Criminals being atavistic, Criminals had similar aspects to _______ or ____.

Answer 18

Savages
Apes

Question 19

Lombroso’s theory: Born criminals.
According to Lombroso, how would criminals be viewed in an ‘primitive’ society, comapred to ‘modern’ society

Answer 19

In a ‘primitive’ society, criminals would be deemed as normal.
In a ‘modern’ society, criminals would be deemed as abnormal.

Question 20

Twin studies.

What does Monozygotic (MZ) mean?

Answer 20

Monozogtoic means twins from the same egg.
This makes the twins identical twins.

Question 21

Twin studies.

What does dizygotic mean?

Answer 21

Dizygotic means twins from a different egg.
This means they are not identical.

Question 22

Jacob’s XYY study.

What can the ‘XYY’ syndrome be called?

Answer 22

The XYY syndrome can be called ‘super male syndrome’.

Question 23

Jacob’s XYY study.

Men who contain the ‘XYY’ chromosome, what are some of the key features? (4)

Answer 23

• Tall.
• Well built.
• Low intelligence.
• Aggressive.

Question 24

Jacob’s XYY study.

What was the evidence behind males who have the ‘XYY’ gene containing these characteristics?

Answer 24

• Imprisoned criminals
  -Psychiatric hospitals
  -average proportion of inmates were found to have the XYY chromosome.

Question 25

Who conducted the ‘adoption studies’ theory’s evidence?

Answer 25

Mednic et al and Hutchings

Question 26

What was the evidence for the adoption studies?

Answer 26

14,000 sons in denmark.
20% concordance rate if your biological parent has a criminal record.
14.7% concordance rate if your adoptive parent has a criminal record.

Question 27

Out of 1000, how many men have the ‘XYY’ chromosome?

Answer 27

10 in 1000.

Question 28

Out of 1000, how many men in prison have the ‘XYY’ chromosome?

Answer 28

15 in 1000.

Question 29

Who conducted that XYY men are more immate, unstable, and have a high tendancy to commit motiveless property crime?

Answer 29

Price and whatmore.

Question 30

outline the somatotype theory

Answer 30

Somatotype is a study proposed by William Sheldon that body shape have associated personality traits that can determine whether you are likely to be a criminal or not.

Question 31

Define endomorph.

Answer 31

Rounded and soft bodied.

Question 32

Define ectomorph.

Answer 32

Thin, fragile, lack of fat and muscle.

Question 33

Define mesomorph.

Answer 33

MUscular and thin bodied.

Question 34

What are characteristics of an endomorph

Answer 34

->Relaxed
->Sociable

Question 35

Mesomorph quality traits

Answer 35

->Active
->Assertive

Question 36

Ectomorph quality traits

Answer 36

->Quiet
->Fragile

Question 37

Which body type is most likely to be a criminal?

Answer 37

Mesomorph

Question 38

Why are mesomorphs more likely to be a criminal?

Answer 38

Mesomorphs are attracted to risk-taking behaviour

Question 39

Which body type is least likely to be a criminal?

Answer 39

Ectomorph

Question 40

What was the correlation study taken out by william sheldon?

Answer 40

Sheldon took out a sample photo of college and deliquent students on a scale of 1-7 based on how mesomorphic they are. Deliquent students got higher end of the scale.