Biological theories of criminality

Physiological theories: Lombroso- Born criminals

\-Cesare Lombroso-1876

\-==criminals are physically different== to non-criminals and recorded and measured skulls of prisoners

\-Concluded criminals could be identified by: large eye sockets, long arms, large jaws, high cheek bones and more

\-Different types of criminals have different features, e.g. murderers having aquiline noses

\-Different types: ‘==epileptic’, ‘insane’== (biologically different) + ==‘criminaloids’== (by environment)

\-==Atavism==- criminals were presocial and throwbacks to an earlier primitive stage of evolution

Physiological theories: Sheldon’s soma types theory: Criminals ae physically different

\-Body types or ‘soma types’ are linked to criminal behaviour

\-==Ectomorph:== Thin and fragile, lacking muscle and fat. Personality is self-conscious, fragile and emotionally restrained

\-==Endomorph==: Physically rounded + soft. personality is generally nice, outgoing and relaxed

==-Mesomorph==: Muscular, broad shouldered, assertive and adventurous.

\-Mesomorphs are ==most likely to be criminals== according to sheldon

genetic theories

\-if a crime is inborn (passed down) it could explain why crime runs in families

^^-Cambridge study in delinquent development found out of 367 families half the convictions come from just 23 families^^

\-Osbourne and west found that sons of criminal fathers were more likely to have a criminal record too

Genetic theories: Twin studies

\- if one member has ‘criminal genes’ it is likely that their blood relatives will too

^^-Christiansen’s study- 3586 twin pairs in Denmark. 52% concordance rate amongst MZ twins. Amongst non-identical, only 22% chance^^

\-study by ^^Ishikawa and Raine found a 44% concordance rate for identical twins but only 21.6% for non-identical^^

Genetic theories: Adoption studies

\-Adoptive children share the same environment as a adoptive parents but genes as biological parents

==-If behaviour is more criminal+ similar to birth parents then it supports genetic explanation==

^^-Mednick et al examined over 14,000 adopted sons from 1924-27 in Denmark and were more likely to have a criminal record if the parent did as well-20% concordance rate.^^

\-14.7% had a record if an adoptive parent had one

^^-Hutchings and Mednick found adoptees with criminal records were more likely to have bio parents also with crim records.^^

Genetic theories: Jacobs XYY studies

* Abnormality of the sex chromosomes which carry all the genetic information
* sometimes an extra Y chromosome.
* XYY syndrome also known as super male syndrome
* ^^Jacob et al^^==, men with XYY- are more aggressive and violent, well-built and lower intelligence==
* ^^Price and Whatmor^^e found imprisoned criminals with XYY syndrome were more immature+ unstable with a tendency to commit seemingly meaningless crimes.

Brain injuries and disorders: Injuries

\-Some rare cases of brain injuries being defined as the cause of criminality

\-Railway worker ^^Phineas Gage^^ whose personality changed after a major brain injury

==-Studies show prisoners are more likely to have suffered brain injuries==

Brain injuries and disorders: Diseases

\-Some linked with criminality- e.g., ^^1920s encephalitis amongst children linked to destructiveness, arson and abnormal sexual behaviours^^

\-Senile dementia, Huntington’s chorea+ brain tumours have been linked to anti-behaviour

\-Abnormal brain activity^^- measured by an EEG-^^ Some studies show ==abnormal readings amongst ‘clearly insane’== murderers and criminals

Biochemical explanations- part 1

\-Sex hormones- ==for males over/under production of hormones can cause emotional disturbance leading to criminal behaviour==

^^-Ellis + Coontz-^^ Testosterone levels peak from puberty to early 20s and this age range correlates to crime rates

\-post natal depression and pre-menstural tensions have been accepted as partial defences for a range of crimes (shoplifting- infanticide)

Biochemical explanations- part 2

\-Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can trigger aggressive reactions, and studies show links between LBS and alcohol cause (which is linked to violence).

^^-Saunders calculated that alcohol played a significant role in about 1000 arrests per day^^

^^-Flanzer estimates that 80% of family cases involved alcohol^^

\-We ingest substances also linked to antisocial behaviour (allergens, food additives)

\-Lead + synthetic food colouring tartrazine linked to hyperactivity.