EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Question 1

Lombrosso evaluation points

Answer 1

Weaknesses- fails to show a link between facial features and criminality
=therefore theory lacks evidence
- linked facial features to non western societies (racist)
= therefore theory is discriminatory
Strength- 1st person to study crime scientifically
= therefore suggests there must be some evidence to support the theory

Question 2

Sheldons evaluation points

Answer 2

Strength- most serious delinquents in sample were ones with most extreme mesomorphic body type = therefore this supports as evidence for the theory
Weakness- other theorists like glueck and glueck was explained through environmental, biological and physiological factors instead of biology alone=theory is less accurate in considering other factors to criminality
Weakness-criminals may develop mesomorphic build as result of needing to be tough physically to succeed instead of genetically = theory becomes invalid because criminality causes somatotype rather than somatotype causing criminality.

Question 3

Twin studies evaluation points

Answer 3

Weakness-if crime was genetic concordance rate for twins would be 100%=only 52% for mz twins meaning it’s not 100% genetic
Weakness-doesn’t consider environmental factors =makes evidence unreliable
Strength- theory is logical =makes it easier to understand

Question 4

Adoption studies evaluation points

Answer 4

Weakness-some children aren’t adopted immediately after birth so early environments may be true cause of criminality=goes against the genetic interpretation of criminality making theory invalid.
Weakness-adopted children could be placed in similar toxic environments from which they may produce similar behaviours=the environmental factors can not be separated from the genetics so theory becomes unreliable
Strength-theory follows logical research design =allows people to see importance of nature vs nurture.

Question 5

XYY evaluation points

Answer 5

Weakness-only studied people already in prison=therefore data is unreliable
Weakness-many people have XYY don’t go on to commit crime meaning its not linked to criminality =highlights environmental factors to be the cause rather than genetics
Strength-there was evidence to support the theory=theory is supported to be reliable and accurate