Biological - Physiological theories

Who is the theorist for the atavistic theory

Lombroso

What does the atavistic theory suggest

That criminals are born not made and can be identified through certain physical features.

What does born criminal mean

Criminals are born not made, criminal behaviour is inherited

What are atavistic features

High cheekbones, flat nose, low sloping forehead, long arms and large ears

What does it mean by certain criminals have certain features

Murderers have bloodshot eyes and sex offenders have thick lips.

Other atavistic characteristics

Tattoos and unemployment

What does it mean by primitive/ throwback

Species between modern and primitive humans. Inherited characteristics from an earlier stage of human development

How does the atavistic theory link to criminality

Criminality can be determined by a person physical appearance meaning that criminality can be inherited.

Name two case examples for the atavistic theory

Charles Manson and Richard Ramirez

Name three strengths of the atavistic theory

This theory has case examples to

support their ideas such as Charles

Manson and Richard Ramirez.

Less attractive people are more

likely to be considered guilty, said Bath Spa University.

Hooton measured over 17,000

prisoners and claimed that prisoners

were more likely to have the

physical features following this

theory.

Name three limitations of the Atavistic theory

One limitation could be that modern

science rejects this idea that physical

features determine behaviour.

Another limitation could be that

Lombroso had not used a control group and so could not properly compare his

results.

People can have disfigurements in their

face due to accidents in their early years

in their life

Who is the theorist for the somatotypes theory

Sheldon

What does the somatotypes theory suggest

Criminal behaviour is linked to a persons physical form.

What was Sheldon’s initial observation

Examines 4,000 men and found that there was three body types

What is a mesomorph

Muscular and hard, aggressive and adventurous

What is an ectomorph

Thin and fragile, introverted and restrained

What is an Endomorph

Fat and soft, tend to be sociable

What was sheldon’s study

Scored each body type on a scale from 1 to 7. 3.8 for students vs 4.6 for delinquents. Supports his claim

What body type is more violent

Mesomorphs are more likely to commit crime

name 2 case examples for the somatotypes theory

Charles Bronson and Aileen Wuornos

Name three strengths of the somatotypes theory

A number of other studies confirmed

that there is a small association

between body build and criminality.

There are case studies such as

Charles Bronson and Aileen

Wuornos.

There was a good sample sized used

being 200 and had controlled

conditions.

Name three weaknesses of the somatotypes theory

mplies that peoples fates are pre

predicted by their body type, stereotypes

and discrimination.

Later studies have failed to replicate the

strong correlation between stomatotypes

This theory also reduces complex

personality traits and behaviours to just

three body types which ignore diversity.

Who is the theorist behind the neurochemicals theory

Guesh

What does the nurochemical theory suggest

Imbalances within the brain chemicals such as hormones can affect mood, aggression and impulse control increasing likelihood of criminal behaviour

What is serotoin

Hormone that stabilise our mood, feelings and well being

How does diet relate to the neurochemical theory

Foods such as dark chocolate cheese and nuts can help secrete serotonin

What did virlkunen et al find

Violet offenders have a lower than average serotonin turnover

Define dopamine

Controls please, reward and motivation

What does high levels of dopamine lead to

Increased sensation seeking and thrill seeking.

What is testosterone associated with

Aggression and dominance

how does the neurochemical theory link to criminality

An imbalance in neurochemicals can lead to criminality

Name two case examples of the neurochemical theory

Christopher Scarver and Nikolas Cruz

Name three strengths of the neurochemical theory

many studies have shown a

correlation between diet and

improved behaviours.

This theory has case examples to

support such as Christopher scarver

and Nickolas Cruz

Geschet et al demonstrates that it is

possible for diet to positively affect

aggressive behaviours.

Name three weaknesses of the neurochemical theory

Ethical concerns as Gesches study

participants believed they were taking

dietary supplements.

This theory's studies focuses mainly on

males, neurochemicals are less studied

in females.

Not all offenders show neurochemical

imbalancement as some other studies

shows conflicting result