2.1 Flashcards
What are all the Biological theories of criminality?
Lombroso’s theory, Sheldon’s somatotype theory, twin studies, adoption studies, brain injuries and disorders, Jacobs XYY, biochemical explanations.
Explain Lombroso’s theory?
the idea that criminals look facially different, he believed in Atavism which meant criminals were at a lower privative stage.
Explain Sheldon’s somatotype theory?
Sheldon saw criminals physically different and different body types is linked to criminal behavior.
Endomorphs = rounded and fatter
Ectomorphs = thin, skinny and fragile
Mesomorphs = muscular and hard bodied so are often more likely to commit crimes as they are more risk taking and assertive.
Explain the genetic theory of twin studies?
Theory tests ‘criminal genes’ and if there is a criminal in a family how likely are family members to become one also. Twins are used as identical and non-identical, a study in Denmark was made and there was a 52% chance if one twin had a criminal record the other did also among identical twins whereas the non-identical set of twins was only a 22% chance of both being criminals.
Explain the genetic theory of adoption studies?
Thinking behind it is that adopted child has a different environment to biological parent, but their genes are the same. This will prove if it’s the adoptee parents’ behavior (environment) or the biological (genes) that effect the child’s chance of becoming a criminal. A study in Denmark found that if a birth parent had a criminal record, it was a 20% chance for the child to have one and if the adopted parents had one it was a 14.7% chance that the child would have one also.
Explain the genetic theory of brain disorders?
Idea that brain disorders can cause criminality, e.g. Phineas gage a railway track worker changed after a brain injury. Some studies show prisoners are more likely to have brain disorders.
Explain biochemical explanations?
Various factors effect criminality as they effect brain chemistry.
Sex hormones = over amounts of testosterone make overly aggressive males and PMT effect females judgment and self-control.
Blood sugar levels = large quantities of alcohol can cause increased aggression
Substance abuse = intake of drugs are linked to violence.
