criminology exam 2

What do biosocial theories focus on?

interaction between biological and social factors in influencing criminal behavior.

What enzyme is linked to aggression and criminality?

Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A)

What does GxE stand for in biosocial theory?

Gene-by-environment interaction—neither alone explains antisocial behavior.

What does “heritability” measure?

The proportion of variance in traits explained by genetic factors within a population.

What is the frontal brain hypothesis

Physical changes in the prefrontal cortex may explain criminality.

What are effects of prefrontal cortex dysfunction?

impulsivity, loss of self-control, poor judgment, immaturity.

What is neurocriminology?

Study of neurological factors underlying criminal behavior.

How does body chemistry influence criminality?

Through diet, vitamin deficiencies, environmental toxins, and hormone imbalances.

What was the “Twinkie defense”?

Argument that sugar intake altered behavior (Dan White case).

What environmental factors link to violent behavior?

Pollution, especially lead and magnesium exposure.

How can prenatal substance exposure affect behavior?

Increases risk of conduct disorders and delinquency.

What theory explains crime through routine conditions?

Routine Activities Theory—requires motivated offender, suitable target, lack of guardian.

How does temperature affect crime rates?

Extreme temperatures reduce interaction, decreasing opportunity.

What is the connection between testosterone and crime?

High levels correlate with aggression; reduction (“chemical castration”) may reduce sex crimes.

What percentage of murderers are men?

Approximately 96%.

What does sexual selection theory suggest about gendered behavior?

evolutionary roles influence aggression and dominance in men.

Critiques of biological theories?

Methodological flaws; racial/class bias; fail to explain geographic or temporal crime variations.

Name two infamous female serial killers.

Aileen Wuornos, Belle Gunness.

Who was Jodi Arias?

Convicted of killing Travis Alexander; sentenced to life without parole.

What is the central assumption of psychological theories of crime?

Crime results from problems within the personality.

: Define “psychopath.”

Person with antisocial personality disorder, lacks empathy, shows manipulative and aggressive behaviors

Are psychopaths born or made?

Often “born”—biological basis. Sociopaths are “raised”—environmental causes.

What percent of incarcerated males have antisocial personality disorder

Around 60%

What are Freud’s three personality structures?

Id, ego, superego

What is modeling theory?

Behavior is learned through imitation.

What is the M’Naughten rule?

insanity defense: inability to know right from wrong.

what is the Irresistible Impulse Test?

Person knew right from wrong but couldn’t resist committing the act

What is GBMI?

Guilty But Mentally Ill

Difference between organized and disorganized offenders?

Organized = planned, controlled, social; Disorganized = chaotic, impulsive, socially inept

What defines crime in the legalistic perspective?

Violation of criminal law.

What is the main trait of a psychopath?

Lack of empathy.

Who designed the Panopticon?

Jeremy Bentham.

What chromosome abnormality is associated with “super males”?

xyy

Define “mala prohibita.”

Acts criminalized by law, not inherently wrong.

Endomorph, Ectomorph, Mesomorph—match with body types.

Endomorph: round; Ectomorph: thin; Mesomorph: muscular.

What is the focus of social structure theories?

The role of social and economic organization in shaping crime rates.

Who developed social disorganization theory?

Shaw and McKay.

What zone has the highest crime rate in Chicago’s model?

Zone 2 (Transition Zone).

What are features of high-delinquency neighborhoods?

Poverty, instability, diversity, low social control.

What does strain theory explain?

Crime as response to the gap between goals and means.

Five Merton adaptations to strain?

Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion.

What does cultural conflict theory propose?

Crime arises from clash between different cultural norms and laws.

Who proposed “focal concerns theory”?

Walter Miller—delinquent subcultures form alternative value systems.

What do social process theories assert?

Crime is learned through interaction with others.

Name three key social process theories.

Social Learning, Social Control, Labeling.

Who proposed Differential Association Theory?

Edwin Sutherland (9 principles).

What did Hirschi emphasize in his social bond theory?

Attachment, commitment, involvement, belief as bonds preventing crime.

What is labeling theory?

Being tagged as a criminal can lead to further deviance.

What is reintegrative shaming?

Shaming with forgiveness—reconnect offender to community (Braithwaite).

What reduces recidivism according to social development theory?

Strong family, education, stable employment.

What are the three main perspectives?

Consensus, Conflict, Pluralist.

What does conflict theory argue?

Laws serve those in power; crime results from inequality.

Who is associated with Marxist criminology?

Richard Quinney.

What is peacemaking criminology?

Seeks to reduce crime by addressing social injustice through peace and cooperation.

Define restorative justice.

Restoring victims, offenders, and community rather than punishing.

What is victimology?

Study of victims and their role in crime.

What are two main national crime data sources?

UCR (Uniform Crime Reports), NCVS (National Crime Victimization Survey).

What are the three elements of Routine Activities Theory?

motivated offender, suitable target, lack of capable guardian.

What are active and passive victim precipitation?

Active—provokes offender; Passive—unknowingly encourages attack.

What does lifestyle theory say?

victimization risk depends on one’s routine activities.