Modies, Crime, Causes Of Crime

Question 1

2 PEEs on biological factors that can cause crime.

Answer 1

• One biological factor that can cause crime is a deficiency in the MAOA gene.
  This means that this deficiency can lead to behavioural problems, ADHD, alcoholism etc, therefore making people more likely to commit crime.
  Evidence of this is that the gene was particularly prevalent in the New Zealand Maori population, which explained the higher crime rates amongst this group.
• One biological factor that can cause crime is your gender.
  This means that men are typically more likely to commit crime, due to higher levels of testosterone, linked to aggression.
  Evidence of this is that around 70% of violent crime is committed by men.(SCJS)

Extra:
One biological factor that can cause crime is mental health issues.
This means that a notable number of convicted criminals have mental health problems, which may help explain their behaviour.
Evidence of this is in 2022, the Scottish government stated that 2 in 5 of those arrested by police Scotland have mental health issues.

Question 2

2 PEEs on reasons why some people commit crime as a result of economic issues

Answer 2

• One reason why people commit crime as a result to economic issues is poverty.
  This means that people who come from deprived areas are more likely to commit crimes.
  Evidence of this is that Glasgow Is one of the poorest areas in the UK and was ranked the most violent area in the UK. (Institute for Economics and Peace in 2013)
• One reason why some people commit crime as a result of economic issues is because of simple greed.
  This means that a person will commit a white collar crime like fraud or embezzlement etc, not because they need the money, just because they want the money.
  Evidence of this is Natalie McGarry, who served as a member of MP from 2015- 2017, she embezzled £25,000 from pro-independence groups and was jailed for 2 years.

Extra:
One reason why some people commit crimes as a result of economic issues is due to extreme deprivation.
This means that crime rates are higher in more deprived areas, which can lack opportunities or support for those in need.
Evidence of this is that in the Krikton, Dundee riot where the riots took place was ranked in the top 5% most deprived areas in Scotland. (SIMD)

Question 3

2 PEEs on factors which cause Crime in the UK.

Answer 3

• One factor that causes crime in the UK would be gangs/young people especially wanting to be a part/join them.
  This means that young people want to be part of gangs because it brings them a sense of family and if they don’t feel safe at home they may in s gang and if they are in need for food or money gangs can use there affiliation to make profit.
  Evidence of this is recent studies have found that up to 3500 young people are now part of street gangs. (Crime textbook)
• One factor which causes crime in the UK is Alcohol.
  This means alcohol abuse is linked to many crimes in the UK, especially in Scotland due to lack of self-control when under the influence.
  Evidence of this is in 2015 the Scottish Crime Justice Survey found that 54% of crimes near a pub/club the offender was under the influence of alcohol.

Extra:
Another factor that causes crime is peoples biology.
This means that there can be a direct correlation between crime and a person’s genetic makeup.
Evidence of this is people with Brunner syndrome are more impulsive and more likely to have problems with alcoholism, which can lead to lawbreaking.

Question 4

2 PEEs on reasons why some people are more likely to commit crime than

Answer 4

• One reason why some people are more likely to commit crime than others is gender.
  This means that men are more likely to commit crime than women due to having higher testosterone levels which makes them more aggressive.
  Evidence of this is that in 2017 over 70% of crimes in Scotland were committed by men. (SCJS)
• Another reason why some people are more likely to commit crime is because they live in deprived area.
  This means that people from poorer areas are more likely to commit crime because they are disadvantaged when it comes to education, housing and self-esteem.
  Evidence of this is that roughly 33% of prison inmates in Scotland came from the most deprived areas in 2019. (Scottish Govt)

Extra:
Another reason why some people are more likely to commit crime is because they experience Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’S).
This means that if as a young child you experience traumatic events you are more likely to commit crime in your later life.
Evidence of this is that in 2015 it was reported that those with 4+ ACE’S are 15x more likely to be a perpetrator of violence. (Scot gov website)