2.1 Biological Theories

Question 1

What are the 2 physiological theories of criminality

Answer 1

Lombroso’s theory of atavism, Sheldon’s theory of somatotypes

Question 2

Lombroso’s theory of atavism

Answer 2

Physical differences between criminals and non criminals like a big jaw-prominent eyebrow arches. Conducted a study on prisoners and skulls of deceased criminals. Believed those with atavistic features were primitive and from an earlier stage of evolution who didn’t fully evolve with a lack of impulse control

Question 3

Sheldon’s theory of somatotypes

Answer 3

3 somatotypes: ectomorph (skinny), endomorph (fat) and mesomorph (muscular) mesomorph thought to be most criminal as they were attracted to risk and assertive. Ectomorph seen as any and fragile, while endomorphs are seen as soft and sociable. Physically criminals are different from non criminals. Conducted research on 4000 images of men and established 3 body types. Later found delinquents had more mesomorphic body types

Question 4

Genetic theories

Answer 4

Twin studies , adoption studies,’ Jacob’s XYY study

Question 5

Twin study

Answer 5

Believed that monozygotic twins who are 100% identical are criminal if at least one of them is. Non identical twins are not both criminal if only one is. Christiansen conducted a study of twins and found if one monozygotic twin had a conviction there was a 35% chance the other twin did but only a 13% chance for dizygotic twins.

Question 6

Brain injuries and disorders

Answer 6

Brain injuries, disease,abnormal brainwave activity

Question 7

Brain injuries

Answer 7

Can be a cause for criminality because personality changes can occur. For example Phineas gage was gentle and kind hearted but became rude and disrespectful due to his left frontal lobe being damaged from a large iron rod being driven through head.

Question 8

Evaluate Lombroso’s theory of atavism

Answer 8

✓showed importance of examining medical records of criminals. First person to study crime scientifically.
X failed to compare to non criminals. Research since doesn’t support findings. Not everyone with atavistic features is criminal.

Question 9

Evaluate Sheldon theory of somatotypes

Answer 9

✓ most serious criminals in research had extreme mesomorphic bodies. Used a large sample size. Other studies have confirmed small association.
X No explanation of echo and endmorphs being criminal. Doesn’t account for somatotypes not being fixed. Criminality causes somatotypes as need to be mesomorphic to be physically tough to commit

Question 10

Evaluate twin study

Answer 10

✓ monozygotic twins are genetically identical and so normal to question offending. Christiansen supports view
X small sample. Not possible to measure effect of genes separately from environmental factors.

Question 11

Evaluate Jacob’s XYY theory

Answer 11

✓ alder found possible to blame aggression on genetic factors. Jacob study. Price and whatmore found links between syndrome and property crime
X overrepresented in prison due to low intelligence. Very rare syndrome. Tall and well built so more likely to be convicted

Question 12

Evaluate brain injuries

Answer 12

✓ prisoners more likely than non prisoners. Correlation between abnormal EEG and psychopathic criminality
X rare. Cause is not clear. Higher likelihood of prisoners having brain injury may be due to their crime