Forensic psychology Flashcards
(35 cards)
Tell me about the development and use of the Top Down (typological) approach
The top-down approach, also known as the typology approach, was developed in the United States during the 1970s by the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Pioneering figures such as John Douglas, Robert Ressler, and Dr. Ann Burgess conducted in-depth interviews with 36 convicted serial killers, including Ted Bundy and Charles Manson.
This method is primarily utilized for serious offenses like murder and rape, where the nature of the crime scene can provide insights into the offender’s personality and behavior.
First two stages associated with the construction of FBI reports
2 stages of the construction of an FBI report:
Stage one - DATA ASSIMILATION: involves collecting as much data as possible related to the crime (eg. autopsy reports, photos, witness statements ect.)
Stage two – CRIME SCENE CLASSIFICATION: organised or disorganised offender?
Stages 3 and 4 of the FBI report construction process?
Stage three – CRIME RECONSTRUCTION: hypothesis is formed, in terms of the crime sequence and the victims’ behaviour
Stage four – PROFILE GENERATION: hypothesis including details of the offender (eg. their age/sex/race/occupation/family background ect.)
Organised vs disorganised offenders
In terms of the crime scene – ‘organised’ offenders remove the weapon from the scene, their victim is a stranger, the crime has been planned and the body is hidden.
In terms of their likely personality – ‘organised’ offenders have an average-to-high IQ, they are sexually and socially competent and they have skilled employment.
‘Disorganised’ offenders are the opposite – no planning, the victim is known, they have a lower-than-average IQ, they are sexually and socially inadequate ect.
3 assumptions of the bottom up approach?
The bottom-up approach constructs offender profiles by analyzing crime scene evidence without preconceived typologies.
Developed in the UK, notably by David Canter, this method is data-driven, relying on statistical analyses and psychological theory.
Contrasts with the top-down approach, which starts with fixed categories (e.g., organized/disorganized offenders)
Tell me about the three concepts of investigative psychology
A subset of the bottom-up approach is investigative psychology, focusing on applying statistical analysis and psychological theory to crime scene evidence.
Key Concepts:
Interpersonal Coherence: The offender’s behavior at the crime scene reflects their everyday interactions. For instance, an offender who is aggressive towards a victim may exhibit similar aggression in personal relationships.
Time and Place: The timing and location of crimes can provide insights into the offender’s residence, employment, or routine activities.
Forensic Awareness: Offenders with prior police experience may take steps to avoid detection, such as cleaning the crime scene or avoiding leaving evidence.
Application:
By analyzing patterns across multiple crimes, investigators can identify behaviors that co-occur, aiding in linking offenses and constructing offender profiles.
Tell me about Geographical profiling and the four key concepts.
Analyzes the locations of connected crimes to determine the offender’s base of operations.
Key Concepts:
Spatial Consistency: Offenders often commit crimes within areas they are familiar with, creating a geographical pattern.
Crime Mapping: Plotting crime scenes to identify patterns and predict future offenses.
Centre of Gravity: The central point in the pattern of crimes, likely indicating the offender’s residence or base.
Canter’s Circle Theory:
Marauder: Operates close to home.
Commuter: Travels away from home to commit crimes.
Case Study:
John Duffy, the “Railway Rapist”: Canter’s geographical profiling accurately predicted aspects of Duffy’s residence and behavior, aiding in his apprehension
Tell me about three assumptions of the Atavistic form (Historical explanation).
The Atavistic Form theory, proposed by Cesare Lombroso in 1876, suggests that criminality is inherited and that someone “born criminal” could be identified by physical features.
Lombroso posited that criminals are genetic throwbacks to a primitive subspecies, biologically different from non-criminals, and ill-suited to conforming to the rules of modern society.
This perspective marked a shift from moralistic views of crime to a more scientific approach, laying the groundwork for future biological explanations of criminal behavior.
Tell me about the three atavistic characteristics?
Atavistic Characteristics
Lombroso identified specific physical features he believed were indicative of criminality:
Facial and Cranial Features:
Narrow, sloping brow
Strong, prominent jaw
High cheekbones
Other Physical Markers:
Dark skin
Extra toes
Behavioral Traits:
Insensitivity to pain
Use of criminal slang
Tell me about offender types according to Lombroso
Offender Types
Lombroso suggested that specific crimes could be linked to particular physical characteristics:
Murderers: Bloodshot eyes, curly hair, long ears
Sexual Deviants: Glinting eyes, swollen, fleshy lips, projecting ears
Fraudsters: Thin and ‘reedy’ lips
Tell me about Lombroso’s research
Lombroso’s Research
Lombroso examined the facial and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3,839 living criminals.
He concluded that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by individuals with atavistic characteristics.
His methodology lacked a non-criminal control group, which raises questions about the validity of his conclusion
Outline the genetic explanation for offending behaviour, including key concepts and mechanisms.
The genetic explanation suggests that criminal behaviour may be inherited through specific gene variants that predispose individuals to traits like aggression or low empathy. These predispositions are not deterministic but increase vulnerability to offending, especially when combined with environmental triggers (diathesis-stress). Genes influence neurochemical levels and brain structure, impacting psychological traits related to crime, such as impulsivity or emotional dysregulation.
What do twin and adoption studies suggest about the genetic basis of criminal behaviour? Include specific findings.
Christiansen (1977) found a 35% concordance rate for criminal behaviour in MZ twins compared to 13% in DZ twins, indicating a genetic component. Crowe (1972) found that adopted children whose biological mothers had a criminal record were 50% more likely to offend by age 18, compared to 5% in controls. These studies support a genetic influence, although concordance is not 100%, suggesting environmental factors also play a role.
What are candidate genes in the context of offending, and what evidence supports their role?
Candidate gene research identifies specific genes linked to aggression and violent behaviour. For example, Tiihonen et al. (2015) found that abnormalities in the MAOA and CDH13 genes were associated with violent crime in Finnish offenders, accounting for 5–10% of severe violent offences. MAOA regulates serotonin and is linked to impulse control, while CDH13 is linked to neuronal development, both contributing to predisposed aggression.
How does the diathesis-stress model explain the interaction between genes and environment in offending behaviour?
The diathesis-stress model argues that a genetic predisposition (e.g., MAOA variant) may only manifest as criminal behaviour when combined with environmental stressors, such as abuse or neglect. This model explains why not all individuals with genetic vulnerabilities become offenders, and highlights the importance of interactionist approaches in explaining crime.
Outline the neural explanation for offending behaviour, including the role of brain regions and neurotransmitters.
Neural explanations attribute offending to dysfunction in brain areas involved in emotion and impulse control. Abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex are linked to impaired decision-making and aggression (Raine, 2000). Additionally, low serotonin levels are associated with poor emotional regulation. These neurological issues may underlie antisocial personality traits such as impulsivity, aggression, and low empathy, increasing criminal risk.
What is the role of the prefrontal cortex and mirror neurons in antisocial personality disorder (APD) and criminality?
: Raine’s studies showed reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex of individuals with APD, impairing their ability to regulate impulses and plan behaviour. Keysers (2011) found that APD individuals had underactive mirror neurons unless instructed to empathise. This ‘switched off’ empathy mechanism may contribute to callousness and a lack of concern for others, traits that facilitate criminal behaviour.
What is Eysenck’s theory of the criminal personality, and what are its core dimensions?
Eysenck (1947) proposed that personality can be explained through three biologically-based dimensions: extraversion–introversion, neuroticism–stability, and psychoticism–normality. He argued that criminals typically score high on all three — making them neurotic–extravert–psychotic — and that such individuals struggle to be conditioned into prosocial behaviour, making them more prone to crime.
: According to Eysenck, how do biological factors contribute to the criminal personality?
Eysenck believed that personality traits have a biological basis. Extraverts have an underactive nervous system, seeking stimulation through risky behaviour. Neurotic individuals have high activity in the limbic system, leading to anxiety and overreaction to threats. Psychotics are linked to high testosterone levels and low empathy. These biological predispositions make some individuals more impulsive, emotionally unstable, and aggressive — traits associated with criminality.
How are extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism linked to criminal behaviour?
Extraverts are impulsive and seek stimulation, making them more likely to engage in thrill-seeking or risky crimes. Neurotics are emotionally unstable and may respond erratically under stress, increasing the likelihood of reactive aggression. Psychotic individuals are unemotional, aggressive, and lack empathy, which can lead to cold, calculated offending. These traits combine to reduce responsiveness to social conditioning and increase antisocial behaviour.
What role does socialisation play in Eysenck’s theory of offending?
Eysenck argued that people with high E and N scores are harder to condition during childhood, meaning they fail to associate antisocial behaviour with anxiety or guilt. This weak conditioning leads to poor impulse control and a lack of internalised moral standards, increasing the likelihood of criminal acts when opportunities arise. In contrast, well-socialised individuals develop conscience and empathy through reinforcement.
How did Eysenck propose to measure the criminal personality?
Eysenck developed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) to assess individuals along the three key personality dimensions (E, N, and P). Respondents are scored based on their answers to standardised items, helping psychologists to identify individuals with high-risk personality profiles. The EPQ has been widely used in offender profiling and personality research.
What is the overall explanation for offending behaviour according to Eysenck’s theory?
Eysenck proposed that individuals with a neurotic–extravert–psychotic personality are biologically and psychologically predisposed to offend due to a combination of poor conditioning, thrill-seeking behaviour, emotional instability, and low empathy. Inadequate socialisation during childhood compounds these traits, making such individuals more likely to act antisocially when not deterred by guilt or social rules.
What is restorative justice and how does it differ from traditional sentencing?
Restorative justice is an approach that emphasises rehabilitation through reconciliation between offenders and victims (often referred to as survivors). Unlike traditional sentencing, which focuses on punishment, restorative justice shifts the focus toward repairing harm, acknowledging impact, and empowering victims. It encourages offenders to take personal responsibility and understand the emotional consequences of their actions.
