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Criminology unit 2 > 2.1 > Flashcards

2.1 Flashcards

(60 cards)

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1
Q

what are biological theories of crime

A

Biological theories focus on the idea that physical characteristics make some people more likely to commit crime
than others

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2
Q

what are physiological theories

A

focusing on a criminals physical
characteristics

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3
Q

what are genetic theories

A

that see criminality as inherited

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4
Q

what are brain injuries and disorders

A

that cause people to offend

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5
Q

what are biochemical explanations

A

involving factors such as hormones in offending

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6
Q

What are the examples of physiological theories

A

Lombroso: Born Criminals
Sheldon: Somatypes

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7
Q

what is the key idea of Lombroso: born criminal theory

A

Criminals are physically different from non-criminals.

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8
Q

what is the study Lombroso conducted for his born criminal theory

A

Measured many criminals’ heads and faces.

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9
Q

what were Lombroso’s findings for his born criminal theory

A

Criminals more likely to have large jaws, long arms, aquiline noses.

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10
Q

what is Atavism when talking about Lombroso: Born criminal

A

Criminals are throwbacks to primitive stage of evolution – pre-social, impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain

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11
Q

what were 3 strengths of Lombroso: Born criminal theory

A

First person to study crime scientifically
Shows importance of clinical and historical records of criminals
Helps to focus on prevention not punishment.

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12
Q

3 limitations to Lombroso: Born criminal theory

A

No further evidence to link facial
features and criminality
Did not compare with control group of non-criminals
Racist - Equates criminals with
savages/ non-western society.

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13
Q

what is the key idea of Sheldon: somatypes theory

A

Somatype (body type) is related
to criminality

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14
Q

what is the study Sheldon conducted for his somatypes theory

A

Looked at body types and
compared with likelihood of
criminality

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15
Q

what were Sheldon’s findings for his somatypes theory

A

Mesomorphic somatype most
likely to be criminal.

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16
Q

what was the reason for Sheldon’s findings for his somatypes theory

A

Attracted by risk-taking and their physique and assertiveness are important assets in crime.

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17
Q

what are 2 strengths of Sheldon’s somatypes theory

A

Other studies replicate findings
Most serious delinquents had most mesomorphic bodies.

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18
Q

what are 4 limitations for Sheldon’s somatypes theory

A

Criminality likely to be a combination of biology and environment.
Mesomorphic build may be result of criminality.
Social class might be true cause of offending and mesomorphy.
Mesomorphs more likely to be
labelled.

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19
Q

what are the characteristics of endomorphs

A

Rounded
soft bodied
lacking muscle
Sociable
relaxed
outgoing.

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20
Q

what are the characteristics of ectomorphs

A

Thin
fragile
lacking fat and muscle
Flat chested
narrow hips and shoulders
thin face
Self conscious
emotionally restrained
thoughtful

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21
Q

what are the characteristics of a mesomorph

A

Muscular
hard-bodied
little fat
strong limbs
broad shoulder
narrow waist
Adventurous
sensation-seeking
assertive
domineering

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22
Q

what is the key idea of twin studies

A

If crime is genetic – identical (Mz) twins should have identical criminality

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23
Q

what were the findings of the twin studies

A

Christiansen: Concordance in criminality Mz = 52% vs Dz = 22%

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24
Q

what is the key idea of adoption studies

A

Adoptees share environment of adoptive parents/genes of biological parents. If genetic, criminality will match biological parents more

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25
what were the findings of the adoption study
Mednick et al: birth parent concordance = 20% vs. adopted parent concordance = 14.7%
26
what re the strengths of twin and adoption studies
Twin & adoption studies give some support to genetic explanations Adoption studies overcome the problem of isolating genes and environment Research design of Adoption studies is logical (nature vs nurture)
27
what are the limitations of twin and adoption studies
If criminality was only genetic MZ twins would have 100% concordance it is impossible to isolate genetic effects fully from environmental ones Adopted children often placed with similar families to their birth family
28
what is the key idea of jacobs XYY study
XYY syndrome in males makes them genetically predisposed to criminality
29
how did they complete the study
Compared rate of XXY in imprisoned criminals with general population.
30
what were there findings
Higher than average proportion of inmates had XYY
31
what are the features of a XYY male
Very tall, well-built, low intelligence, high aggression, violent.
32
what are the strengths of jacobs XYY study
Jacob et al found association with XXY and violent prisoners Price & Watmore found links with XYY and property crime
33
what are the limitations of jacobs XYY study
Having the syndrome doesn’t mean that is the cause of crime XXY men fit stereotype of violent offenders – labelling theory Low intelligence of XYY may give higher chance of being caught Syndrome is too rare to explain much crime
34
what is genetic explanation
Criminality is the result of genes inherited from biological parents
35
what does monozygotic mean
identical twins that share 100% of the same genes
36
what does dizygotic mean
non-identical twins that share only 50% of the same genes (like ordinary siblings)
37
what is environmental explanation
Criminality is the result of the surroundings a child grows up in
38
what are chromosomes
Made from DNA and protein. Carry genetic information we inherit from our parents. Most people have 23 pairs.
39
what is a super-male
Another term for XYY syndrome. Those affected carry an extra Y (male) chromosome on one of their 23 pairs.
40
what is the key idea for brain injuries
brain injury can change personality and are more common in prisoners
41
what case study support brain injuries
Phineas Gage - metal rod through the brain. survived but personality changed from loving to aggressive
42
what is the key idea for brain disorders
some brain diseases have been linked with criminal or anti social behaviour. Dementia, brain tumours, Huntington's
43
how do EEG readings link to criminality
some studies show abnormal EEG readings in psychopathic criminals
44
what are strengths of brain injuries and disorders
A few extreme cases do show brain injury leads to changes in behaviour including criminality. Some correlation between abnormal EEG readings and psychopathy Prisoners are more likely than non-prisoners to have a brain injury
45
what are some limitations to brain injuries and disorders
Crimes caused by brain injury or disease are rare. Original personality more important. Abnormal EEG not necessarily the cause and not found in all psychopaths Prisoner’s higher likelihood of brain injury may be affect of criminality mot cause – e.g. getting into fights
46
what is the key idea for biochemical explanations
Biochemical substances and processes linked to criminality
47
how do make sex hormones link to criminality
Ellis and Coontz: testosterone peaks puberty to early 20s – same as criminality.
48
how do female sex hormones link to criminality
PMT, PND, Lactation all used as defence in court – affected mood/self-control.
49
how does blood sugar link to criminality
Hypoglycaemia linked to aggression
50
how does substance abuse link to criminality
Prescription and illegal drugs and alcohol linked to crime. Can lead to increased aggression.
51
how do other substances link to criminality
Lead, tartrazine linked to hyperactivity. Vit B deficiency linked to erratic behaviour
52
what are the strengths to biochemical explanations
Biochemical factors recognised by the courts Sex hormones, alcohol, drugs all known to affect mood/behaviour
53
what are the limitations to biochemical explanations
Biochemical processes may need an environmental trigger too Some studies find testosterone not linked to physical aggression Infanticide may be caused by isolation rather than hormones
54
what does EEG stand for and what is it used for
Electroencephalogram – measures brain activity
55
what is testosterone
Male sex hormone linked to aggression, murder and rape
56
what is PMT
Pre-menstrual tension – fluctuation in female sex hormones
57
what is PND
Post-natal depression – used as defence in infanticide
58
what is lactation
Breast-feeding. Used as defence in female crimes
59
what is hypoglycaemia
Low blood-sugar. Linked to aggression and alcohol abuse
60
what are the 4 general criticisms of biological theories
environmental factors - Biology may give potentially criminal characteristics but need environmental trigger too. sample bias - Only studying criminals means we don’t know about those who got away – can’t generalise gender bias - Most biological research only tells us about male criminality crime is a social construct - Biological theories look for universal explanations, but crime varies over time, place and culture

Criminology unit 2 (5 decks)

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