forensics

• bottom up approach?


  evidence based using statistical analysis collected , investigative psychology
• what is interpersonal coherence?


  suggests a persons interactional style with victim is the same as with others in life
• time and place significance? 


  location chosen by offender so is significant , ties into mental environment
• criminal characteristics?


  how crime has been committed suggests aspects of offender based on previous studies
• criminal career?


  how crimes by same offender change due to more experience
• forensic awareness?


  does the criminal show knowledge of system or reduce amount of evidence left
• geographical profiling?


  focused on where offender is likely to be based location of crimes arent random
• the American approach?


  offenders are assigned a pre-existing category based on evidence
• step of a FBI profile?


  data assimilation , crime scene classification , crime reconstruction , profile generation
• characteristic of the atavistic form?

  Narrow, sloping brow

  Strong prominent jaw

  High cheekbones

  Facial asymmetry

  Dark skin

  Existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers
• evaluation points for atavistic form

  scientific method , scientific racism , contradicting evidence , no causation
• how is the genetic explanation studied?

  family studies , twin studies , adoption
• which gene is linked to criminality?

  MAOA
• evaluation for genetic explanation?

  biological determinism and reductionism , no causation
• how do we study brains?

  PET scans using radioactive tracking activity
• where do criminals have less activity?

  frontal and parietal lobes
• features of criminal brains?

  malfunctioning amygdala , faulty hippocampus
• evaluation for neural explanation?

  good control group , non-intrusive , not all murders are violent , other variables
• Who suggests that personality type influences offending behavior?

  Eysenck
• What does Kohlberg suggest about criminals?

  They have underdeveloped moral reasoning
• What is Eysenck's theory based on?

  The type of nervous system you have
• How does Eysenck relate personality to the nervous system?

  Personality is influenced by genetic makeup
• What are the three dimensions of personality according to Eysenck?

  Extroversion, neuroticism, psychoticism
• What characterizes extroverts according to Eysenck?

  They seek stimulation and are outgoing
• Why do extroverts engage in risky behavior?

  To boost their under-aroused nervous system
• How do introverts behave according to Eysenck?

  They avoid stimulation and seek calm
• What is the difference between neurotic and stable individuals?

  Neurotics are easily upset; stable are calm
• What does the psychoticism dimension measure?

  The amount of emotion and empathy felt
• What characterizes a highly psychotic person?

  They are emotionally cold and lack empathy
• What is the criminal personality type according to Eysenck?

  Highly extroverted, neurotic, and psychotic
• What evidence supports Eysenck's theory?

  A study by McGurk and Dougal
• What did McGurk and Dougal find in their study?

  More extroverted, neurotic, and psychotic inmates
• What is a criticism of Eysenck's theory?

  It assumes personality is stable over a lifetime
• Why might Eysenck's theory be considered too simplistic?

  It only includes three personality dimensions
• What is a potential issue with biological theories of offending behavior?

  They suggest biology determines criminality
• What ethical question arises from Eysenck's theory?

  Should personality affect prison sentencing?
• What moral dilemma is presented in the scenario?

  Whether stealing the drug was right or wrong
• What are Kohlberg's three levels of moral reasoning?

  1. Pre-conventional
  2. Conventional
  3. Post-conventional
• What characterizes the pre-conventional level of moral reasoning?

  Focus on personal consequences of actions
• What are the two stages of the pre-conventional level?

  Punishment orientation and reward orientation