biological theories of crime

Question 1

Describe the main idea behind biological theories of criminality.

Answer 1

Biological theories suggest that physical characteristics make some individuals more likely to commit crimes, implying that criminal tendencies can be inherited.

Question 2

Define physiological theories of crime.

Answer 2

Physiological theories focus on the physical characteristics of criminals, suggesting that these traits can indicate a propensity for criminal behaviour.

Question 3

How did Cesare Lombroso contribute to biological theories of crime?

Answer 3

Cesare Lombroso laid the foundations for modern criminology by studying the physical differences between criminals and non-criminals, proposing that criminals are ‘born’ with certain atavistic features.

Question 4

What are some physical features Lombroso associated with criminals?

Answer 4

Lombroso identified features such as enormous jaws, high cheekbones, large eye sockets, prominent eyebrow arches, and long arms as indicators of criminality.

Question 5

Explain the concept of atavism in Lombroso’s theory.

Answer 5

Atavism is the idea that criminals are throwbacks to an earlier, primitive stage of evolution, suggesting they are pre-social and unable to control their impulses.

Question 6

What percentage of criminal acts did Lombroso attribute to atavistic characteristics?

Answer 6

Lombroso claimed that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics.

Question 7

Describe the characteristics Lombroso associated with murderers.

Answer 7

Lombroso suggested that murderers often had bloodshot eyes, curly hair, and aquiline noses resembling the beak of an eagle.

Question 8

What traits did Lombroso associate with sex offenders?

Answer 8

Lombroso identified thick lips and protruding ears as common traits among sex offenders.

Question 9

How did Lombroso categorize criminals beyond physical traits?

Answer 9

Lombroso identified two additional types of criminals: insane criminals, who are intellectually or morally challenged, and epileptic criminals, who commit crimes during seizures.

Question 10

What is the distinction Lombroso made between criminaloids and other criminals?

Answer 10

Criminaloids are individuals whose criminality is influenced more by environmental factors rather than biological traits.

Question 11

How did Lombroso’s views evolve over time regarding types of criminals?

Answer 11

Lombroso updated his theories to include insane criminals and epileptic criminals, recognizing that not all criminal behaviour is purely biological.

Question 12

What role do biochemical explanations play in biological theories of crime?

Answer 12

Biochemical explanations consider factors such as hormones and other biological substances that may influence offending behaviour.

Question 13

Describe the significance of Lombroso’s studies on criminals.

Answer 13

Lombroso’s studies involved examining the facial and cranial features of thousands of criminals, contributing to the belief that physical traits could predict criminal behaviour.

Question 14

What is the implication of genetic theories in the context of criminality?

Answer 14

Genetic theories suggest that criminal behaviour can be inherited, indicating that some individuals may be predisposed to criminality due to their genetic makeup.

Question 15

How do brain injuries and disorders relate to biological theories of crime?

Answer 15

Brain injuries and disorders are considered potential causes of criminal behaviour, suggesting that certain neurological conditions may lead to offending.

Question 16

Describe the findings of the recent study from a university in China regarding AI and criminal identification.

Answer 16

The study involved ID photos of 1856 Chinese men, half of whom had a previous conviction. The AI wrongly flagged innocent men as criminals 6% of the time but correctly identified 83% of actual criminals.

Question 17

Define Lombroso’s theory in relation to criminality.

Answer 17

Lombroso’s theory suggests that certain physical features can indicate a predisposition to criminal behaviour, leading to further developments in the explanation of criminality, although it lacks definitive scientific evidence.

Question 18

How did William Sheldon contribute to the understanding of human physique and criminality?

Answer 18

William Sheldon observed human bodies and temperaments, leading to his development of the somatotypes theory, which categorizes individuals into three body types: ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs.

Question 19

What are the three fundamental body types according to Sheldon’s somatotypes theory?

Answer 19

The three body types are: Ectomorphs (thin and introverted), Mesomorphs (muscular and assertive), and Endomorphs (rounded and extroverted).

Question 20

Explain the characteristics associated with Mesomorphs according to Sheldon.

Answer 20

Mesomorphs are characterized as square and muscular, with a tendency toward an active, dynamic, assertive, and aggressive personality, making them more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.

Question 21

How did Sheldon assess the relationship between body type and delinquency?

Answer 21

Sheldon conducted a correlation study using photographs of college students and delinquents to create a scale rating resemblance to mesomorphs, finding that delinquents had a higher average mesomorph rating compared to college students.

Question 22

What limitations exist in Lombroso’s theory of criminality?

Answer 22

A limitation of Lombroso’s theory is the lack of scientific evidence supporting a definite causal link between physical features and criminal behaviour, despite some common features among criminals.

Question 23

Discuss the significance of Sheldon’s observations in developing his somatotypes theory.

Answer 23

Sheldon was inspired by observing his father’s breeding programs, which led him to examine 4,000 photographs of men to identify specific genetic traits associated with body types and their potential link to personality.

Question 24

What personality traits are associated with Ectomorphs according to Sheldon?

Answer 24

Ectomorphs are described as having a ‘cerebrotonic’ personality, which is introverted, thoughtful, inhibited, and sensitive.

Question 25

What personality traits are associated with Endomorphs according to Sheldon?

Answer 25

Endomorphs are characterized by a 'viscerotonic' (sociable and easy-going) personality, which is relaxed, comfortable, and extroverted.

Question 26

How does Sheldon’s theory relate Mesomorphs to criminal behaviour?

Answer 26

Sheldon suggested that Mesomorphs are more likely to engage in crime due to their physique and assertiveness, which are seen as advantageous in risk-taking activities.

Question 27

Describe a strength of Sheldon’s theory regarding criminal behaviour.

Answer 27

A strength of Sheldon’s theory is that it utilized a large sample size for observations, allowing for justified comparisons between criminals and non-criminals.

Question 28

What limitation does Sheldon’s theory have concerning its identification of criminals?

Answer 28

A limitation of Sheldon’s theory is that it relies solely on biological factors, specifically body shape, which is not scientifically proven.

Question 29

How do chromosomes relate to genetic theories of crime?

Answer 29

Chromosomes are strands of condensed DNA that contain individual genes for every physical characteristic, and humans have 46 chromosomes divided into 23 pairs.

Question 30

Define genes in the context of genetic theories of crime.

Answer 30

Genes are units of DNA that code for one or more characteristics and are inherited from a person’s parents.

Question 31

Explain the XYY Theory in relation to crime.

Answer 31

The XYY Theory suggests that crime might be attributed to a chromosomal abnormality where males have an extra Y chromosome, potentially leading to increased aggression and violent behaviour.

Question 32

Who is Patricia Jacobs and what is her contribution to the XYY Theory?

Answer 32

Patricia Jacobs is a Scottish geneticist who focused on genetic differences in chromosomes and developed findings related to the XYY chromosomal abnormality.

Question 33

What behaviours are associated with individuals who have the XYY chromosomal abnormality?

Answer 33

Behaviours associated with XYY individuals include explosive temper, hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiant actions, lack of empathy, and in some cases, antisocial behaviour.

Question 34

How are XYY men represented in the prison population compared to the general population?

Answer 34

XYY men are over-represented in prison, with 15 in 1000 men having the condition in prison compared to 1 in 1000 in the general population.

Question 35

Provide an example of a case study related to the XYY Theory.

Answer 35

John Wayne Gacy, who sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered at least 33 men in the USA, is suggested to have possibly had XYY syndrome.

Question 36

What is a strength of Jacobs' work on the XYY Theory?

Answer 36

A strength of Jacobs' work is that it provides tangible scientific evidence of the genetic theory proposed, supported by research and case studies.

Question 37

Describe the characteristics of XYY syndrome.

Answer 37

XYY syndrome characteristics are often subtle and do not necessarily indicate a serious chromosomal disorder, leading to many males being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Question 38

Explain the difference between dizygotic and monozygotic twins.

Answer 38

Dizygotic twins, or fraternal twins, come from two separate eggs and share 50% of their DNA, while monozygotic twins, or identical twins, come from one egg and share 100% of their DNA.

Question 39

Define concordance rates in the context of twin studies.

Answer 39

Concordance rates refer to the probability, expressed as a percentage, that if one twin has a particular characteristic, the other twin will also have that characteristic.

Question 40

How do genetic theories utilize monozygotic twins in crime studies?

Answer 40

Genetic theories use monozygotic twins in crime studies because they share identical genes, suggesting that if one twin is a criminal, the other is likely to be as well.

Question 41

Summarise the findings of Johannes Lange's twin study.

Answer 41

Johannes Lange's study in 1929 found that 10 out of 13 monozygotic twins had both served time in prison, compared to only 2 out of 17 dizygotic twins.

Question 42

What was the focus of Christensen's research on twins?

Answer 42

Christensen focused on analysing pairs of twins to determine whether criminal tendencies might be inherited, finding a 52% concordance rate among monozygotic twins.

Question 43

Evaluate the strengths of twin studies in understanding criminality.

Answer 43

Twin studies support genetic explanations of crime, as identical twins being genetically identical should show similar criminal behaviour if genetics were the sole cause.

Question 44

Identify the limitations of twin studies in the context of criminality.

Answer 44

Limitations include the fact that 100% concordance is not observed, suggesting other factors influence behaviour, and that shared environments may lead to one twin influencing the other.

Question 45

Discuss the impact of brain injuries on behaviour.

Answer 45

Research suggests that damage to the brain can alter an individual's behaviour, leading to changes such as altered behaviour patterns, immaturity, increased loss of self-control, and an inability to modify behaviour.

Question 46

Describe the accident that Phineas Gage experienced.

Answer 46

Phineas Gage was a railway worker who survived an accident where a 3-foot inch thick metal rod went through his head, destroying most of his left frontal lobe.

Question 47

What were the immediate effects of Phineas Gage's accident?

Answer 47

He lost consciousness and had convulsions immediately but awoke quickly and was talking and walking soon afterwards.

Question 48

How did Phineas Gage's accident affect his movement and speech?

Answer 48

He never showed any impairment of movement or speech after the accident.

Question 49

What aspects of Phineas Gage's cognitive abilities remained intact after his accident?

Answer 49

His memory was intact, and he was capable of learning new things.

Question 50

Describe the behavioural changes Phineas Gage experienced after his accident.

Answer 50

His behaviour was greatly affected, becoming anti-social and extravert.

Question 51

Define biochemical explanations in the context of criminal behaviour.

Answer 51

Biochemical explanations suggest that biochemical substances and processes may cause criminal behaviour due to their effects on brain chemistry and mental processes.

Question 52

List some factors that are considered in biochemical explanations of criminal behaviour.

Answer 52

Factors include sex hormones, blood sugar levels, substance abuse, and diet.

Question 53

Explain the XYY theory of criminality.

Answer 53

The XYY theory suggests that a chromosomal abnormality, specifically an additional Y chromosome, may lead to criminal behaviour, with individuals often described as more violent and aggressive.

Question 54

How does the prevalence of XYY syndrome in prisons compare to the general population?

Answer 54

Jacob et al (1965) found that 15 in 1000 people in prisons suffered from XYY syndrome compared to 1 in 1000 in the general population.

Question 55

What is one notable case associated with XYY syndrome and criminality?

Answer 55

John Wayne Gacy, a famous serial killer who murdered 33 men, is argued to have suffered from XYY syndrome.