Criminal Psychology Flashcards

Flashcards covering various theories and campaigns discussed in the lecture notes, designed for exam preparation.

Lombroso's Theory

Criminals physically different from non-criminals, based on recorded details of heads and faces of thousands of prisoners. Distinctive physical features include asymmetrical faces, large jaw, high cheek bones, sloping forehead, pig nose. Linked to Atavism certain individuals exhibit primitive attributes reminiscent of earlier evolutionary stages.

Sheldon's Theory: Somatotypes

Certain body types (somatotypes) linked to personality traits and criminal behavior. Endomorphs (round, fat), Ectomorphs (thin, fragile), Mesomorphs (muscular physique).

Endomorphs

Round, fat, lacking muscle/tone, wide hips. Sociable, relaxed, outgoing inclination towards emotional behavior, impulsive and hedonistic tendencies

Ectomorphs

Thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle, narrow hips and shoulders. self-conscious, introvert, awkward, frustration, alienation

Mesomorphs

Muscular physique (dominance/aggression), little fat, strong limbs, broad shoulders adventurous, sensation seeking, assertive, competitive most likely engage in crime - attracted to risk-taking.

Sex Hormones

Over/underproduction = emotional disturbances. Testosterone + estrogen + PMT = increased aggression. Higher levels of testosterone in males often associated with aggression and risk-taking criminal behavior

Blood Sugar Levels

Hypoglycaemia (low BSL) can trigger aggressive reactions, irritability, and impaired judgement. Alcohol abuse-drinking large quantities hypoglycaemia.

Twin Studies

Higher probability of criminal behavior between identical twins rather than fraternal (exact genes). Supported by Christiansen's study of 3,586 twin pairs Concordance rate between identical twins was 52%, fraternal twins had only 22% chance

Adoption Studies

Compare compelling evidence for genetic influence on criminal behavior - compare both bio + adoptive parents, children of crim likely exhibit similar traits, sons more likely to have a criminal record if birth parent also had one (20% concordance rate) and 14.7% if adoptive parents had a record

Jacob's XYY Study

Abnormal chromosomes instead of XX or XX, males may have XYY (extra y male chrom) called the 'super male syndrome' - very tall, well built, low sparts. Correlation between genetic anomaly and increased aggression and potential violence in comparison to other men based on studies of imprisoned crims such as those in psych hospitals, majority XVY Histories of aggression + violence Price and Whatmore found XYY males unstable and immature, more likely to commit crime.

Brain injuries and disorders

Neuro-Alzheimer's or epilepsy alter cognitive function, impulse control, decision-making abilities, judgment. Abnormal brainwave activity effect frontal lobe increased aggression impulsive behaviors

Freud's Psychoanalysis

Unresolved childhood conflicts → Maldaptive behaviors. Human personality contains 3 elements that are all in tension: ID, SUPEREGO, and EGO.

ID

Located in unconscious, instinctive, 'animal' part of mind. Powerful, selfish, pleasure-seeking meds/drives (sex, food) Governed by 'pleasure principle - the blind desire to satisfy it's urges at any cost anti-social/criminal behavior

SUPEREGO

Contains our conscience or moral rules, which we learn through interactions with our parents during primary socialisation, e-g punishment for selfish actions! Through socialisation, child internalizes parents' ideas of right and wrong superego develops internal nagging parent' where if we act contrary to superego, it punishes with feelings of guilt and anxiety.

EGO

Try to find balance between conflict of id + superego. Driven by 'the reality principle' - learns from experience that in the real world, our actions have consequences-e.ga child learns that snatching a treat without asking punishment Seeks to control the id's urges while still finding ways to satisfy them, eg a child learns to say please to get something

Bowlby's Maternal Deprivation Theory

Early separation/inadequate relationship with mother can lead to emotional issues and negatively impact child's future RS. Affectionless psychopathy lack of empathy + guilt + meaningful relationships due to lack of emotional development.

Eysenck's Personality Theory

Criminality is the result of a particular personality. Extraversion vs introversion (E) and Neuroticism vs emotional stability (N).To measure people's personality traits, ranking them on an E scale and an N scale Normal ppl = middle scale, criminals high scores.

Sutherland's Differential Association Theory

Learn values, norms and techniques for committing crime through imitation and leaned attitudes

Operant Learning Theory

Behaviors are influenced by rewards and punishments, reward=likely repeated acts can be rewarded freipforced eg financial gain or be discouraged by negative outcomes shapes decisions Behaviourism all behaviors learned through interactions with the environment, conditioning shapes behavior

Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)

Learn crim behavior through imitating others' actions/outcomes/rewards.

Criminal Personality Theory

Criminals are prone to faulty thinking. Thinking errors cognitive distortions that justify crim behavior behaviours include lying, need for power /control, blaming others, victim Stance, inability to see consequences lead individual to commit crime as well as hindering personal accountability facilitates orgoing criminality

Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory

Theory of how we develop out moral thinking.Suggests criminals' moral development is at a less mature level in comparison to others think of rewards / punishments rather than the impact on others.

Sarah's Law

Result of assault, murder, kidnapping of 8 year old Sarah Payne by convicted sex offender in area. Started by mother success through News of the World newspaper Newspaper name/shamed' 50 ppl claimed were paedophile's promised to continue until every paedophile identity in Britain revealed. Persuaded gov to introduce the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme - England and Wales 2011

Clare's Law

Result of rape, abuse, murder of 36 year old Clare Wood by ex partner - 2009.Ex previous convictions for violence against women (repeated) Unknown to clare.Launched campaign to enable women to know about their partners violent past introduced in England and Wales Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme 2014

Ann Ming's Campaign

Campaign DOUBLE JEOPARDY Double Jeopardy law - stops ppl being tried again for same offence daughter murdered → killer protected by double jeopardy campaigned to change law through lobbying politicians and using the press, TV and radio to publicise case. The 2003 Criminal Justice Act permitted serious crimes re-tried (murder/rape/manslaughter) only if evidence sufficient

British Lung Foundation

Focuses on improving lung health through advocacy, research funding, and raising awareness about respiratory diseases in the UK. Partnerships enhance campaign success

Protection Against Stalking

Launched to introduce a new law making stalking a specific offense + prevent victims victim evidence inquiry's report published Feb 2012 with political support introduction of Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (made stalking a criminal offence)