2.1

• What is the focus of biological theories of criminality?

  They explain criminal behavior through biology
• What are the two main types of biological theories of criminality?

  Genetic and physiological theories
• What do biological theories suggest about criminal tendencies?

  They can be genetic and inherited
• When did genetic theories of criminal behavior emerge?

  In the 1700s with modern criminology
• What does the XYY theory suggest about criminality?

  It links crime to a chromosomal abnormality
• How many chromosomes do humans usually have?

  46 chromosomes
• What is the significance of the Y chromosome?

  It determines male sex characteristics
• What is the prevalence of XYY syndrome in the prison population?

  15 per 2,000 in prisons
• What do twin studies suggest about criminal behavior?

  Genetics may increase risk for criminality
• What are monozygotic twins?

  Identical twins from one fertilized egg
• What is concordance in twin studies?

  When both twins share a characteristic
• What did Johannes Lange's twin study find?

  MZ twins had higher concordance for crime
• What were the concordance rates found by Christiansen for male twins?

  35% for MZ and 13% for DZ
• What do adoption studies compare?

  Biological and adoptive parents' influences
• What do physiological theories focus on?

  A person's physical form as an indicator
• Who is known as the Father of Modern Criminology?

  Cesare Lombroso
• What did Lombroso argue about criminals?

  They are a separate species with primitive features
• What did Sheldon propose about body types?

  They correlate with criminal behavior tendencies
• What are the three somatotypes identified by Sheldon?

  Endomorphic, ectomorphic, mesomorphic
• What is the link between brain damage and criminal behavior?

  Damage to the pre-frontal cortex alters behavior
• What did Raine et al. (1994) find in their study?

  Damage in the pre-frontal cortex of criminals
• What is the role of serotonin in behavior?

  It regulates mood and aggression levels
• What foods can help raise serotonin levels?

  Dark chocolate, nuts, salmon, turkey
• What is 'roid rage'?

  Extreme violence from steroid use
• Who was Phineas Gage?

  A railroad worker with a brain injury
• What changes occurred in Gage's behavior after his accident?

  He became anti-social and extravagant
• What did the Canadian study find about head injuries and prison?

  Injured individuals are twice as likely to be imprisoned
• What is the impact of diet on neurochemistry?

  It can influence aggression and mood
• What is a PET scan used for?

  To produce detailed images of the body
• What is the significance of the Disabilities Trust research?

  It highlights traumatic brain injury prevalence in offenders
• What should students be familiar with for exams?

  General theories rather than specific theorists
• What is the exam question format likely to include?

  General theories of criminality
• Who is the founder of the physiological theories of criminality?

  Lombroso
• What did Lombroso believe about criminals?

  They failed to evolve at the same pace
• How did Lombroso identify criminals?

  By their physical characteristics indicating inferiority
• What physical traits did Lombroso associate with murderers?

  Cold, glinty stare, bloodshot eyes, hawk-like nose
• What concept did Lombroso's idea of 'born bad' lead to?

  Later biological theories emphasizing heredity
• What are the strengths of Lombroso's theory?

  • Gave criminology scientific credibility
  • Supported by Goring's findings on intelligence
  • Suggested attractiveness affects guilt perception
  • Challenged the notion of criminals as evil
  • Initiated offender profiling
• What are the weaknesses of Lombroso's theory?

  • No control group for comparison
  • Possible inaccuracies due to disfiguration
  • Not all with atavistic features are criminals
  • Scientific racism in defining features
  • Extremely deterministic outlook
• What did Sheldon link to body type and personality?

  Different features of personality