1/9
Looks like no tags are added yet.
Name | Mastery | Learn | Test | Matching | Spaced |
---|
No study sessions yet.
Lombroso’s theory: Born criminals
Criminals are physically different from non-criminals
Criminals have enormous jaws, long arms, large eye sockets etc
Saw criminals as Atavistic to the primitive stage of evolution
Criminals are pre-social, unable to control impulses and have a reduced sensitivity to pain.
Criminals are like ‘savages’ and in modern society are abnormal.
Sheldon’s somatotypes theory
Somatotypes are linked to criminal behaviour
Endomorphs: rounded, soft and tend to be fat, lack muscles, sociable, relaxed and outgoing.
Ectomorphs: thin and fragile, lack fat and muscles, self-conscious, introverted, emotionally restrained.
Mesomorphs: muscular and hard bodied, little fat and strong limbs, sensation-seeking, enjoy physical activity, assertive
Mesomorphs are more likely to commit crime because of the risk and their body type is an important assist for crime.
Twin studies
If one family member has ‘criminal genes’, it’s likely that their blood relatives will have them too.
Monozygotic twins share exactly the same gene, so if one is criminal the other should be too.
3586 twin pairs in Denmark
Found that if one MZ twin had a conviction there was a 52% chance the other also had one.
Among DZ twins there was only a 22% chance.
Adoption studies
An adopted child shares the same environment as their adoptive parents, but the same genes as their bio parents.
Mednick et al examined date of over 14,000 adopted sons in Denmark.
Found sons were more likely to have a criminal records if a birth parents also had one.
Jacob’s XYY study
Abnormality of the sex chromosomes is a possible genetic cause of criminality.
Chromosomes contain genetic info we inherit from our parents.
Some men get an extra Y chromosome, this is know was XYY syndrome or Super male syndrome
Men with this are more aggressive and violent
Higher average of inmates were found to have XYY syndrome and had a history of aggression and violent assault.
Brain injuries
Rare cases of brain injuries being the cause of criminality
Phineas Gage: personality changed after a major brain injury
Prisoners are more likely than non-prisoners to have suffered brain injuries.
Diseases
Brain diseases have been linked to criminal or anti-social behaviour.
Senile dementia, Huntington’s disease and brain tumours have been linked to various forms of anti-social behaviour
Abnormal brainwave activity: studies show abnormal EEG readings among ‘clearly insane’ murders and psychopathic criminals.
Biochemical: Sex hormones
Males: Over/under production of hormones may lead to emotional disturbances, leading to criminal behaviour.
Testosterone linked with murder and rape and testosterone levels peak from puberty to early 20s, which correlates with high crime rates.
Females: PMT, post- natal depression have been accepted as partial defences for women charged with crimes ranging from shop lifting to infanticide.
Biochemical: Blood sugar levels
Hypoglycaemia can trigger aggressive reactions.
Drinking large quantities of alcohol can induce low-blood sugar and increase aggression.
Biochemical: Substance abuse
Involves the intake of drugs and other substances
Studies show is the USA, 80% of family violence involves alcohol.
Cocaine and crack are closely linked with violence.