Inherited criminality Flashcards
(21 cards)
What are two early biological theorists?
Sheldon and Lombroso
What was sheldons theory?
Criminals are physically different from non criminals
What are the three somatotypes sheldon identified?
Mesomorphs (muscular), endomorphs (round and soft) and ectomorphs (thin and fragile
Which somatotype is most likely to become crimina
mesomorphs as they are more likely to be attracted to risk taking and being assertive
What are strengths of sheldons theory?
Evidence to support, Glueck and Glueck found 60% of there sample were mesomorphs
Mosts serious in sheldons sample had extremely mesomorphic body shapes
What are weaknesses of sheldons theory?
-Glueck and Glueck- criminology best explained by not biology alone but using physchological and environmental factors as well, may develop mesomorphic type as a need to appear tough
-Social class may be main cause- most offenders are working class males
-Sheldon doesnt account for endo/ectomorphs that commit crime
What was Lombrosos theory?
Criminality is inherited and people are born criminal and are identified by how they look
What kind of features did people exhibit in lombrosos theory?
Atavistic/primitive features
What did the atavistic features include?
Large ears, high cheekbones, strong jaw, sloping shoulders
Earlier theories are now discredited but how can criminality be explained?
Inherited through genes, explained by concordance rates (the likelihood that genetically related individuals both have a certain characteristic)
What are the concordance rates for twins?
52%- Raine MZ twins
21%- raine DZ twins
What are the concordance rates for family?
13%- osborn and west sons with non crim fathers
20%- osborn and west sons with crim fathers
What are the criminal rates for adoption?
38%- crowe, bio parents have criminal records
What are the potential criminal genes?
MAOA and CDH13
What does MAOA do?
Recycle neurotransmitter serotonin
What is evidence to support MAOA being responsible for criminality?
Virkunnen- compared to non impulsive violent offenders, impulsive violent had lower serotonin levels
What does CDH13 do?
Regulate communication within the brain
What is evidence to support CDH13 being responsible for criminality?
Tiihonen et al- Found that 5-10% of finish offenders had low levels of CDH13 as long as MAOA
What is a strength of adoption of studies?
Separates nature from nurture use crowes research
Strength of inherited criminality?
Use raines research and family research
Weakness of inherited criminality?
Raine- as MZ twins share 100% the concordance rate should be 100% but it it isnt which questions validity, could criminality be learnt
