Chapter 5-Trait Theory

Question 1

Trait Theory

Answer 1

The view that criminality is a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits.

Question 2

Sociobiology

Answer 2

The view that human behavior is motivated by inborn biological urges to survive and preserve the species.

Question 3

hypoglycemia

Answer 3

A condition that occurs when glucose in the blood falls below levels necessary for normal and efficient brain functioning.

Question 4

androgens

Answer 4

Male sex hormones.

Question 5

testosterone

Answer 5

The principal male hormone.

Question 6

premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Answer 6

Condition, postulated by some theorists, wherein several days before and during menstruation, excessive amounts of female sex hormones stimulate antisocial, aggressive behavior.

Question 7

neurophysiology

Answer 7

The study of brain activity.

Question 8

conduct disorder (CD)

Answer 8

A pattern of repetitive behavior in which the rights of others or social norms are violated.

Question 9

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Answer 9

A developmentally inappropriate lack of attention, along with impulsivity and hyperactivity.

Question 10

neurotransmitters

Answer 10

chemical compounds that influence or activate brain functions.

Question 11

arousal theory

Answer 11

The view that people seek to maintain a preferred level of arousal but vary in how they process sensory input. A need for high levels of environmental stimulation may lead to aggressive, violent behavior patterns.

Question 12

monozygotic (MZ) twins

Answer 12

identical twins

Question 13

dizygotic (DZ) twins

Answer 13

Fraternal (nonidentical) twins.

Question 14

Contagion effect

Answer 14

People become deviant when they are influenced by others with whom they are in close contact.

Question 15

psychodynamic theory

Answer 15

Theory, originated by Freud, that the human personality is controlled by unconscious mental processes that develop early in childhood and involve the interaction of id, ego, and superego.

Question 16

id

Answer 16

The id seeks instant gratification without concern for the rights of others.

Question 17

ego

Answer 17

The part of the personality developed in early childhood that helps control the id and keep people’s actions within the boundaries of social convention.

Question 18

superego

Answer 18

Incorporation within the personality of the moral standards and values of parents, community, and significant others.

Question 19

attachment theory

Answer 19

Bowlby’s theory that being able to form an emotional bond to another person is an important aspect of mental health throughout the life span.

Question 20

behavior theory

Answer 20

The view that all human behavior is learned through a process of social reinforcement (rewards and punishment).

Question 21

social learning theory

Answer 21

The view that people learn to be aggressive by observing others acting aggressively to achieve some goal or being rewarded for violent acts.

Question 22

behavior modeling

Answer 22

The process of learning behavior by observing other. Aggressive models may be parents, criminals in the neighborhood, or characters on television or in movies.

Question 23

cognitive theory

Answer 23

Psychological perspective that focuses on the mental processes by which people perceive and represent the world around them and solve problems.

Question 24

information-processing theory

Answer 24

Theory that focuses on how people process, store, encode, retrieve, and manipulate information to make decisions and solve problems.

Question 25

personality

Answer 25

The reasonably stable patterns of behavior, including thoughts and emotions, that distinguish one person from another.

Question 26

antisocial personality

Answer 26

Combination of traits, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, hedonism, and inability to empathize with others, that make a person prone to deviant behavior an violence.

Question 27

nature theory

Answer 27

The view that intelligence is largely determined genetically and that low intelligence is linked to criminal behavior.

Question 28

nurture theory

Answer 28

The view that intelligence is not inherited but is largely a product of environment. Low IQ scores do not cause crime buy may result from the same environment factors.

Question 29

mood disorder

Answer 29

A condition in which the prevailing emotional mood is distorted or inappropriate to the circumstances.

Question 30

oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

Answer 30

A pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior, during which a child often loses her or his temper, often loses her or his temper, often argues with adults, and often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults’ requests or rules.

Question 31

schizophrenia

Answer 31

A severe disorder marked by hearing nonexistent voices, seeing, hallucinations, and exhibiting inappropriate responses.

Question 32

bipolar disorder

Answer 32

An emotional disturbance in which moods alternate between periods of wild elation and deep depression.

Question 33

Primary prevention programs

Answer 33

Programs, such as substance abuse clinics and mental health associations, that seek to treat personal problems before they manifest themselves as crime.

Question 34

secondary prevention programs

Answer 34

Programs that provide treatment, such as psychological counseling, to youths and adults after they have violated the law.