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AC2.1 DESCRIBE BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINALITY - Coggle Diagram
AC2.1 DESCRIBE BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINALITY
PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORIES
LOMBROSO (BORN CRIMINALS)
STRENGTHS
LIMITATIONS
THEORY
PHYSICAL FEATURES
CRIMINAL
THIEVES
RAPISTS
MURDERERS
ATAVISM
INSANE CRIMINALS
EPILEPTIC CRIMINALS
SHELDON (SOMATOTYPES)
THEORY
ENDOMORPHS
ECTOMORPHS
MESOMORPHS
THIEVES
PAEDOPHILES
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
GENETIC THEORIES
TWIN STUDIES
THEORY
CHRISTIANSEN
ISHIKAWA AND RAINE
MONOZYGOTIC
DIZYGOTIC
LIMITATIONS
Its impossible to isolate and measure the effects of genes separately from environmental factors
In early studies, there was no way of being 100% certain if twins were MZ twins as DNA testing had not been developed
If genes were the only cause of criminality, MZ twins would show 100% concordance but studies show 1/2 or less
Parents are more likely to treat MZ twins as more alike than DZ twins. MZ twins may also feel closer than DZ twins, these environmental factors may produce more similarities in criminal behaviour
Higher concordance rate in MZ twins could be down to them sharing the same environment (home, school etc). This could be the cause for the similarities in the behaviour
STRENGTHS
Twin studies support genetic explanations. Ishikawa & Raine found a higher concordance rate for identical (MZ) than for non identical (DZ) twins
MZ twins are genetically identical, it is logical to examine whether their offending behaviour is also identical
ADOPTION STUDIES
THEORY
MEDNICK ET AL
HUTCHINGS AND MEDNICK
LIMITATIONS
Gottfredson & Hirschi (1993) adoption studies show genes have little effect on criminality
Many children are not adopted immediately after birth but remain with their biological family for some time. This early environment may be the true cause of their criminality
Adopted children are often placed in environments like their birth family (families of the same class, ethnicity, location). Therefore, similar environment may be the true cause of their criminality
STRENGTHS
The research design is logical. It allows us to see the relative importance of nature (biological parents) vs nurture (adoptive parents)
Findings of adoption studies have given support to genetic explanations. They do show adoptees were more likely to have criminal records if their biological parents did
Adoption studies help to overcome one of issues with twin studies (that MZ twins are being brought up in the same environment)
JACOBS XYY
STRENGTHS
Jacob et al found an association between XYY syndrome & offenders imprisoned for violent behaviour
Price & Whatmore found some links between the syndrome & property crime
LIMITATIONS
XYY males may be over represented in prison because they often have low intelligence & therefore are more likely to get caught. Samples therefore drawn from prisoners are skewed
XYY males are all tall/well built, so they fit the stereotype of 'violent offenders' & get labelled as such by police/courts, and so are more likely to get a prison sentence. As a result, XYY males are over represented in samples drawn from prisoners & this overstates the importance of the syndrome as a possible cause of crime
Even if some violent offenders have the syndrome, this doesnt prove this is the cause of their violence
The syndrome is very rare (1 in 1000 men), so it cannot explain much crime
THEORY
CAMBRIDGE STUDY IN DELINQUENT DEVELOPMENT
OSBORN AND WEST
BIOCHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS
SEX HORMONES
THEORY
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
BLOOD SUGAR
THEORY
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
THEORY
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
OTHER SUBSTANCES
THEORY
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
LIMITATIONS
STRENGTHS
BRAIN INJURIES AND DISORDERS
INJURIES
THEORY
PHINEAS GAGE
HENRY VIII
DISEASES
THEORY
CHARLES WHITMAN
STRENGTHS
There is some correlation between abnormal EEG reading & psychopathic criminality
Prisoners are more likely than non prisoners to have a brain injury
In a few extreme cases, brain injury/disease has led to a major change in an individuals personality/behaviour, including criminality
LIMITATIONS