Biological Exlantions Flashcards
(32 cards)
3 main biological explantions
- genetics
- neural
- historical
historical approach
- criminals have distinguished innate physical features (atavistic traits)
Lombroso study - historical approach
- examined 4000 criminals features
- 21% had 1 atavistic feature 43% had at least 5
- argued criminals cannot be blamed for their criminal behaviour was shaped by their physical features
Atavistic form
- assumption that criminals at represent a more primitive Stage of development than non criminals
- distinct physical features : heavy brown, extra toes/nipples, strong jawline
Weaknesses of lombroso study
- did not use a control group, could not compare the physical patterns he had discovered amongst the criminals to a group of non criminals, likely these physical features are coincidental and could be found amongst any group of people
Counter argument
- not support by research can be considered early attempt to study criminal behaviour scientifically
- goring attempted replicated lambroso study compared 2,348 london criminals a with control group, failed to replicate results suggest criminal behaviour is not linked to physical appearance
- androcentric he considered women to be less evolved than men, women where passive which neutralised their negative traits and where less likley to be criminals, women who did present atavistic features here monsters but where beneficial in men
Weakness of historical approach
Contributed to stereotyping of criminals, prejudice against ppl whom present atavistic features
Counter argument
Kaplans - three of self derogation offers different explanation, more likely to become criminals because of the way they are treated by society, negative interactions with other due to their appearances suggests criminal behaviour is due to interact in between genes and environment
Genetics
Some people have genetic predisposition to criminal behaviour
3 ways to study genetic components
Twin studies
- investigate concordance rates between MZ vs DZ twins
- higher CR for criminal behaviour in MZ twins than DZ as MZ share 100% of there genes whereas MZ only share 50%
Family studies
- criminal behaviour in parents and their biological children if gentic link
- children with criminal parents are more likely to display criminal behaviour than those with non criminal behaviour
Adoption studies
- criminal behaviour of adopted children and their adopted parents as well as their biological parents
- expect if link, adopted children should show criminal behaviour even though there brought up in non criminal behaviour environment
Evaluation twin studies
Supporting research
- raine, CR in MZ was 52% CR of DZ was 21%, supports assumption that criminal behaviour might be heritable in twins as CR where higher in MZ
Counter argument
- other factors have an impact on whether criminal behaviour is displayed, as CR for criminal behaviour was only 52%
Weakness
-due to environmental influences eg parenting even through offending behaviour is higher in MZ than DZ may be due to MZ twins being treated more similarly to each other than DZ
Evaluation of family studies
Supporting evidence
- Farrington compared conviction rate of 411men with those of their biological parents and close family members, found 75% of convicted parents and convicted child. Support idea that criminal behaviour runs in the family
Counter argument
- nature vs nurture influences are difficult to separate in family studies, difficult t disguise where criminal behaviour due to environment or heritability
Evaluation of adoption studies
Supporting evidence
- meta analysis 51 twin and adoption studies on antisocial behaviour
- found genetic influence was lower in parent off spring that’s in twin a sibling studies, suggest degree of heritability is greater amongst biological parents and thee children , therefore the likelihood to display criminal behaviour is higher when someone has got a criminal biological idling than a criminal parent
Counter argument
- stress of adoption rather than genetic link between biological parents and sibling and child could contain for offending behaviour
- difficult to selected biological from environmental factors
Debate of gentics
2 types of neural explanation
Neurotransmitter and brain regions
Define neural explanation
Explain offending behaviour by looking t areas of the brain the nervous system and neurotransmitters
What is assumed about a criminals brain structure
They have a different brain structure to non criminals
What causes a altered brain structure
- brain injury which alters or impairs brain physiology which can be a contributing factor to offending behaviour
Normal pre frontal cortex
Involved in regulating emotion and controlling moral behaviour
What happens when pre frontal cortex is not functioning
Offender less control of emotions and impulses leading to aggressive crimes eg murder
Normal limbic system (amygdala)
Modulation of emotion
What occurs when there is a fault in the limbic system (amygdala)
- Lack of guilt and remorse
- commonly displayed in psychopaths who commit aggressive types of murder
evidence in brain regions
Supporting research
Raine et al
- difference in brain between non murders and murders
- some difference in brain activity in the pre frontal cortex and areas of limbic system which are usually linked with aggression
Weakness
- research into brain region is often correlational, unclear whether someone with abnormal brain physiology causes offending behaviour or whether offending behaviour causes brain structure to change
- cannot make direct link between brain physiology and offending behaviour
Evaluation of brain region
Weaknesses
- further research needed, not everyone whom suffers brain injury commits crime, shows complexity of the relationship between brain physiology and offending behaviour
Counter argument
- Implications in the legal system, if behaviour can be explained via brain injury it can be argued offender is not at fault, therefor cannot be held criminally responsible
Debate of brain regions
How does neurotransmitter link to criminal behaviour being present
May be due to an imbalance of biochemical in our bod
