AC 2.1 Biological Theories of Crime

Pathological

Offenders are sick, abnormal and need to be rehabilitated

Phrenology

The detailed study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of criminality

XYY syndrome

An extra chromosome which causes above-average height

MAOA gene

A gene correlated with anti social behaviour if mutated

Physiognomy

The study of facial features

Mednick

The researcher who found that 25% of criminal offspring would still commit crime, even when adopted by non-criminal parents

Schoenthaler

The researcher who found that a high sugar diet can cause aggressive and erratic behaviour

Testosterone

Male sex hormone linked to aggressive criminal behaviour

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that affects sleep, arousal and mood, if at low levels in the brain, this can link to criminal activities

Amygdala

A limbic system structure involved in memory and emotion, if damaged or faulty it can lead to violent crime by decreasing fear and increasing aggression

Prefrontal cortex

Part of frontal lobe responsible for thinking, planning, and language, if damaged it can lead to impulsive criminal acts

Phineas Gage

The railroad worker who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behaviour