biological explanations Flashcards
(12 cards)
historical approach
lombroso- produced a ‘scientific’ theory of the atavistic form in 1876
atavistic form
criminals genetically are more at a primitive stage in evolution than non criminals so are ‘throwbacks,’ criminality is innate
examples of physical differences
asymmetrical face
heavy brow
big ears
large jaws
long arms
fleshy lips
thieves difference
upturned nose
murder dif
hooked beak nose
positivist school of criminology
argues that criminal behaviour has distinct characteristics and careful measurement of criminals reveal the courses
lombroso made biological measurements of 4,000+ criminals
historical positive
conducted with careful measurements paving the way for more scientific approaches
historical negative
goring- 3,000 crim v non and no physical dif
racism
genetics
genetic-inherited genotypes make display of criminal behaviour (phenotype) more likely
gene candidate- MAOA gene linked to high levels of crim behaviour
diathesis stress
neural
bio processes and neural structures in brain lead to criminality
neurotransmitters- imbalance linked to offendendinf. noradrenaline- aggression, serotonin- impulsivity
neurological structures- low limbic system no empathy, undervalued frontal cortex- poor impulse control
positive of genetic and neural
rhee- 51 twin adoption studies. genetics 40% of variance in anti social behaviour
raine- volume of frontal lobe in people with ape and 11% reduction in prefrontal grey mayter
negative of g&n
biologically deterministic
socially sensitive
reductionist