Unit 2 Biological theories AC2.1 Flashcards
includes genetic and physiological theories (38 cards)
what are the sections included under genteic theories
genetics
XYY syndrome
what were the two studies for inheritability of criminal genes and who studied them
Twin studies - Christiansen
Adoption studies - Mednick
summeries the study of Twin studies
historial data of MZ (identical twins) and DZ (non identical) and concordance rate in criminal behaviour
what were the findings of the Twin studies
MZ concordance rate was 35% and DZ was 13%
3 times more likely to be criminal than DZ
why was the adoption studies done
to remove the shared environment for the twin that lived with biological parents which could be a possible impacting factor in twin studies
summarise the study of adoption studies
studies sets of adopted twin and difference between adopted father and biological father and the twins
what was the finding of the adoption studies
adopted father has a criminal record = 11% of twins did same
biological and adopted father did not have criminal record = 10% of twins went on to get one
biological father had criminal record = 21% twins did the same
what is the XYY syndrome summerised
men that have an additional Y chromosome making them more ‘manly’ and higher levels of testosterone
give some symptoms of XYY syndrome
taller than 6ft
high levels of testosterone
high levels of acne
more aggressive
easily angered
who studied the XYY syndrome
Jacobs et al
summerise the study done by Jacobs et al of the XYY syndrome
wanted to see if having XYY syndrome will make males more aggressive and therefore more likely to become involved in criminal behaviour
studies 198 male prisoners in scotland criminal mental institute
what are the negatives of the twin studies and adoption studies
very reductionist - too narrow
studies showed correlation but there isnt enough evidence
some determinism as it is genetic but 79% didnt go onto committ crime - other factors
possibility for wide scope of crime but its not clear
what was the findings of the XYY syndrome studies
Men with XYY had similar backgrounds and crimes to men with XY - doesn’t prove link to aggression
Found a correlation between XYY and property crime
XYY fit stereotype of violent offender - tall, well built
Syndrome rare 1 in 1000 - cannot explain all crime
Who studied the idea that people look criminal
Lombroso
What was lombrosos main theory
Criminals are a different species
They are “evolutionary throwbacks” - they evolved differently
atavists physical charactistics
Give some physical features that Lombroso names as easily identifiable for criminals
Unusual sized ears
Large eye sockets
Beak nose
Glassy state
What are other characteristics mentioned by Lombroso for his theory
Use criminal slang
Grotesque expression of thoughts
Tattoos
Unemployed
What might Lombroso potentially be studying other than criminals
Measuring low socio-economic status: labouring jobs can lead to a change in features due to labour
Did Lombroso have a control group for his study?
No
What was the procedure for lombrosos theory
Examined facial features and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living - all Italian
What were the findings of Lombrosos procedure for his theory
40% of criminals and looked at could be identified by atavists characteristics
60% could not
what are the four theories under physiological theories for biological theories
Lombrosos born criminals
Sheldons somatotyping theory
Brain abnormality and trauma
neurochemical theories
what are the three fundamental body types Sheldon deduced from analysing 4000 naked men
Endomorphes
mesomorphes
ectomorphes
what are endomorphs and what characteristics do they have according to sheldon
high body fat - sociable and outgoing, hedonistic and egocentric
