Mednick et Al

Question 1

What are Mednick et al’s strengths?

Answer 1

Factual evidence
Focus on both genetics and environment
Influence on modern criminology

Question 2

Why did Mednick et al’s theory have factual evidence?

Answer 2

Large population of adopted children, evidence of genetics and environmental factors

Question 3

Why was it a strength that Mednick et al focused on both genetic and environmental factors?

Answer 3

Complex interaction between biological and environmental factors

Question 4

What influences did Mednick et al have on modern criminology?

Answer 4

Development of biosocial criminology, explores how biological and social factors interact in criminal behaviours

Question 5

What are Mednick et al’s weaknesses?

Answer 5

Causality issues
Overlooking other factors
Limited generalisability

Question 6

Why did Mednick ET al have causality issues?

Answer 6

It was difficult to definitively state that genetics or environment directly on criminal behaviour

Question 7

Why is overlooking other factors a weakness for Mednick et al?

Answer 7

Didn’t address other potential influences

Question 8

Why was there limited generalisability in Mednick et al?

Answer 8

Results don’t fully apply to other culture or social contexts

Question 9

What did Mednick et al do?

Answer 9

Analysed criminal records of adopted children, comparing them to criminal behaviour of their adoptive and biological parents.
Decide whether criminal tendencies were more influenced by genetic or environmental factors

Question 10

What did Mednick et al find with the genetic influence?

Answer 10

Adoptive children more likely to engage in criminal behaviour if their biological parents had a criminal history, even if the child was raised in a non criminal environment

Question 11

What did Mednick et al find about the environment influence on crime?

Answer 11

If adoptive parents had criminal behaviour, the children are more likely to participate in criminal activities

Question 12

What did Mednick et al find with the interactions between genetics and environment on crime?

Answer 12

Both genetic predisposition and environmental influenced contribute to criminal behaviour

Question 13

What was a social policy for Mednick et al and how does it help?

Answer 13

Rehabilitation and social support - provide support or families at risk