Biological theories Flashcards
(13 cards)
Some crime might be due to an extra chromosome. “Super males” are deemed more aggressive than men with only one Y chromosome. (Genetic)
Jacob’s XYY Theory
WHich famous killer had XYY syndrome?
John Wayne Gacy
Twins from one egg - these have a higher concordance rate than the other set of twins.
Monozygotic Twins - MZ
Twins from separate eggs and are not identical - lower concordance rate than other set of twins.
Dizygotic twins - DZ
One type has a higher concordance rate than the other.
Twin Studies.
The biological and adoptive parents are compared, along with the environments they lived in (Genetic)
Adoption Studies
The misuse of substances including alcohol, drugs, etc. (biochemical explanations)
Substance Abuse
Proposed the idea of criminals being “atavistic” - evolutionary setback (Physiological)
Lombroso
Criminality can be seen through a person’s facial features, such as?
large jaws, high cheekbones, handle-shaped ears, prominant eyebrow arches, long arms, large eye sockets
Believed that they were 3 main body types, the Mesomorph being the most likely to be criminal. (phsiological)
Sheldon
What are the 3 body types proposed by Sheldon and what do they suggest about a person?
Endomorph (rounded, soft and tending to fat - socialble, relaxed and outgoing), Ectomorphs (thin and fragile, lack muscle/ tone - self-conscious, fragile and thougtful), Mesomorphs (muscular, hard-bodied, little fat and strong limbs - adventurous, assertive and domineering)
There are some cases in which this is the cause for criminality, such ass Phineas Gage
Brain Injury
How can brain injury link to criminality?
Damage to certain parts of the brain can change how that section works: e.g if the damaged section controls feelings, the individual may be less emotional after the injury, and turn to criminaity as a result.
