4.1 biological Eugenics

Question 1

What are the three main categories of criminological theories?

Answer 1

Individualistic, biological, sociological

These categories help in understanding different perspectives on crime causation.

Question 2

What is eugenics?

Answer 2

The belief in improving the qualities of the human race

Eugenics was a movement that gained popularity in the early 20th century.

Question 3

What did eugenicists fear regarding the human race?

Answer 3

Degeneration due to the poor breeding faster than higher classes

This belief led to concerns about the transmission of ‘inferior’ genes.

Question 4

What is the argument behind genetic theories of criminality?

Answer 4

The tendency to criminality is transmitted by inheriting a ‘criminal gene’

This perspective suggests a hereditary basis for criminal behavior.

Question 5

What policy did eugenicists favor to prevent ‘genetically unfit’ individuals from breeding?

Answer 5

Compulsory sterilization

This policy targeted criminals and individuals with mental illness or learning difficulties.

Question 6

How many states in the U.S. had a eugenics program in the early 1900s?

Answer 6

33

This widespread adoption indicates the influence of eugenic ideas during that time.

Question 7

When did most eugenics programs end?

Answer 7

After World War II

The end of these programs was influenced by changing social attitudes and the aftermath of the war.

Question 8

How many people were sterilized in the North Carolina eugenics program?

Answer 8

7600

This number highlights the scale of the program in one state.

Question 9

What percentage of sterilizations in North Carolina occurred after WWII?

Answer 9

77%

This statistic reflects the continuation of eugenics policies post-war.

Question 10

What characteristics did the state deem as undesirable in those targeted by eugenics?

Answer 10

Mentally unfit and unworthy to reproduce

These criteria were used to justify sterilizations.

Question 11

Why was Deloris’s mother sterilized?

Answer 11

She had postpartum syndrome

This case exemplifies the application of eugenics policies to individuals with health issues.

Question 12

What is negative eugenics?

Answer 12

Controlling reproduction to prevent undesirable traits

This concept focuses on preventing certain individuals from reproducing.

Question 13

Until when did eugenics programs last in the United States?

Answer 13

The 1970s

This indicates the prolonged influence of eugenics in American policy.

Question 14

What was the purpose of California’s eugenic law first passed in 1909?

Answer 14

To allow sterilization of anyone committed to a state institution

This law led to the sterilization of many individuals in state institutions for mental illness and disabilities.

Question 15

How many individuals were sterilized in California state institutions between the early 1920s and the 1950s?

Answer 15

One-third of the national total

This statistic highlights the extent of sterilizations carried out under eugenic policies.

Question 16

What did the US Supreme Court rule in 1927 regarding sterilization?

Answer 16

It was legal to compulsory sterilize the ‘unfit’ for the protection and health of the state

This ruling legitimized eugenic sterilization practices.

Question 17

What eugenic policies were implemented by Nazi Germany from 1933-45?

Answer 17

Purification of the ‘Ayran Master Race’ by eliminating those deemed unfit to breed

This included targeting physically and mentally disabled individuals.

Question 18

How many people were sterilized against their will under Nazi policies?

Answer 18

400,000

This figure reflects the brutal application of eugenic policies during the Nazi regime.

Question 19

What was the outcome of the Nazi euthanasia policy?

Answer 19

70,000 people killed

This policy was part of the larger genocide agenda during the Holocaust.

Question 20

What was the justification for the genocide of ‘inferior races’ by the Nazis?

Answer 20

Eugenic policies

This included the extermination of Jews and Roma, among others.

Question 21

How many Jews were killed during the Holocaust as part of Nazi eugenic policies?

Answer 21

At least 6 million

This highlights the extreme consequences of eugenic ideology.

Question 22

How many Gypsies/Roma were murdered during the Holocaust?

Answer 22

Up to 1.5 million

This reflects the widespread targeting of marginalized groups under Nazi policies.

Question 23

What are some groups that were also targeted by Nazi eugenic policies?

Answer 23

• Homosexuals
• Drug users
• Alcoholics
• The homeless

These groups were deemed ‘deviants’ and faced persecution.

Question 24

Does eugenics work as a crime control policy?

Answer 24

No, it does not consider environmental factors influencing crime

This highlights the limitations and ethical issues of eugenic policies.

Question 25

What is a potential argument in favor of eugenics regarding crime?

Answer 25

It may prevent a child from being subjected to criminal parents and a criminal lifestyle ## Footnote This argument fails to account for the role of environment in shaping behavior.

Question 26

What ethical issues arise from forcefully sterilizing individuals?

Answer 26

Obvious ethical concerns regarding autonomy and future potential for change ## Footnote This highlights the moral implications of eugenics.

Question 27

What role do environmental factors play in criminal behavior?

Answer 27

Environmental factors can influence someone to commit a crime ## Footnote This suggests that genetics alone cannot account for criminality.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: Eugenics cannot possibly stop a child from being raised in a _______.

Answer 28

criminal environment ## Footnote This reinforces the argument against the efficacy of eugenic policies.

Question 29

True or False: Eugenics can effectively control crime by reducing the number of individuals with criminal tendencies being born.

Answer 29

False ## Footnote While it may seem possible, the approach is fundamentally flawed.

Question 30

What was the purpose of California's eugenic law first passed in 1909?

Answer 30

To allow sterilization of anyone committed to a state institution ## Footnote This law led to the sterilization of many individuals in state institutions for mental illness and disabilities.

Question 31

How many individuals were sterilized in California state institutions between the early 1920s and the 1950s?

Answer 31

One-third of the national total ## Footnote This statistic highlights the extent of sterilizations carried out under eugenic policies.

Question 32

What did the US Supreme Court rule in 1927 regarding sterilization?

Answer 32

It was legal to compulsory sterilize the 'unfit' for the protection and health of the state ## Footnote This ruling legitimized eugenic sterilization practices.

Question 33

What eugenic policies were implemented by Nazi Germany from 1933-45?

Answer 33

Purification of the 'Ayran Master Race' by eliminating those deemed unfit to breed ## Footnote This included targeting physically and mentally disabled individuals.

Question 34

How many people were sterilized against their will under Nazi policies?

Answer 34

400,000 ## Footnote This figure reflects the brutal application of eugenic policies during the Nazi regime.

Question 35

What was the outcome of the Nazi euthanasia policy?

Answer 35

70,000 people killed ## Footnote This policy was part of the larger genocide agenda during the Holocaust.

Question 36

What was the justification for the genocide of 'inferior races' by the Nazis?

Answer 36

Eugenic policies ## Footnote This included the extermination of Jews and Roma, among others.

Question 37

How many Jews were killed during the Holocaust as part of Nazi eugenic policies?

Answer 37

At least 6 million ## Footnote This highlights the extreme consequences of eugenic ideology.

Question 38

How many Gypsies/Roma were murdered during the Holocaust?

Answer 38

Up to 1.5 million ## Footnote This reflects the widespread targeting of marginalized groups under Nazi policies.

Question 39

What are some groups that were also targeted by Nazi eugenic policies?

Answer 39

* Homosexuals * Drug users * Alcoholics * The homeless ## Footnote These groups were deemed 'deviants' and faced persecution.

Question 40

Does eugenics work as a crime control policy?

Answer 40

No, it does not consider environmental factors influencing crime ## Footnote This highlights the limitations and ethical issues of eugenic policies.

Question 41

What is a potential argument in favor of eugenics regarding crime?

Answer 41

It may prevent a child from being subjected to criminal parents and a criminal lifestyle ## Footnote This argument fails to account for the role of environment in shaping behavior.

Question 42

What ethical issues arise from forcefully sterilizing individuals?

Answer 42

Obvious ethical concerns regarding autonomy and future potential for change ## Footnote This highlights the moral implications of eugenics.

Question 43

What role do environmental factors play in criminal behavior?

Answer 43

Environmental factors can influence someone to commit a crime ## Footnote This suggests that genetics alone cannot account for criminality.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: Eugenics cannot possibly stop a child from being raised in a _______.

Answer 44

criminal environment ## Footnote This reinforces the argument against the efficacy of eugenic policies.

Question 45

True or False: Eugenics can effectively control crime by reducing the number of individuals with criminal tendencies being born.

Answer 45

False ## Footnote While it may seem possible, the approach is fundamentally flawed.