Biological explanations

• What is the atavistic form in criminology?

  Offenders lack evolutionary development
• What does the atavistic form suggest about offenders' nature?

  They have a savage and untamed nature
• How does the atavistic form relate to societal adjustment?

  Offenders are unable to adjust to society
• What are some physiological markers of the atavistic form?

  Narrow, sloping brow and strong jaw

  
• What are additional physical features associated with the atavistic form?

  Dark skin and extra toes or fingers
• What social aspects are linked to the atavistic form?

  Use of slang, tattoos, and unemployment
• Why is research on the atavistic form considered socially sensitive?

  It links physical traits to criminal behavior
• What physical features are associated with murderers according to Lombroso?

  Bloodshot eyes and curly hair
• What features are linked to sexual deviants in Lombroso's theory?

  Glinting eyes and swollen fleshy lips
• What is a characteristic of fraudsters according to Lombroso?

  Thin lips
• How many Italian convicts did Lombroso study?

  383 dead and 3,839 living criminals
• What percentage of criminal acts did Lombroso attribute to atavistic characteristics?

  40%
• What is the task related to testing Lombroso's theory?

  Find images of high-profile serial killers
• What does Lombroso's theory suggest about identifying offenders?

  It should be possible from their features

  
• What are the strengths of Lombroso's theory?

  • Changed criminology focus to scientific research
  • Initiated offender profiling
  • Major contribution to criminology science
• What are the weaknesses of Lombroso's theory?

  • Evidence contradicts atavism and crime link
  • Poorly controlled methods without a control group
  • Fails to consider social conditions' impact
  • Suggests crime is biologically determined
• What did Goring find in his study of criminals?

  Only a few physical differences
• What major aspect did Lombroso fail to include in his research?

  A control group for comparison
• What does the atavistic form imply about the cause of crime?

  It is genetically determined
• What factors might influence facial and cranial features besides genetics?

  Poverty and poor diet
• What does the term "atavistic" mean?

  Relating to an ancestral or primitive state
• Name two atavistic facial characteristics.

  Narrow brow and prominent jaw
• In Lombroso’s skull research, what percentage of criminals had atavistic characteristics?

  40%
• What was the only thing Goring found in common between the criminals in his study?

  Few physical differences
• What did Lombroso fail to include in his research, which is a major weakness?

  A control group for comparison
• What is a practice exam question related to Lombroso's theory?

  Outline the atavistic form of offender profiling

  
• What do genetic explanations for crime suggest about offenders?

  They inherit genes that predispose them to crime
• What is the purpose of family studies in genetic explanations of offending behavior?

  To outline genetic explanations of offending behavior
• What are the two types of twin studies used in genetic research?

  • Monozygotic (identical) twins
  • Dizygotic (non-identical) twins

  
• How many twin pairs did Christiansen study in Denmark?

  Over 3500 twin pairs
• What were the concordance rates for offender behavior in identical twin males according to Christiansen?

  35%
• What were the concordance rates for non-identical twin males in Christiansen's study?

  13%
• What does the term "concordance rates" refer to in twin studies?

  The probability of both twins sharing the same trait
• What do the differences in concordance rates between monozygotic and dizygotic twins suggest?

  Genetic factors may influence criminal behavior
• What does a higher concordance rate in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins imply?

  There is a genetic component to criminal behavior

  
• What are the key findings from Crowe's adoption study?

  • 50% risk of criminal record if biological mother had one
  • 5% risk if biological mother did not have one
• What two genes did Tiihonen et al. suggest may be associated with violent crime?

  MAOA and CDH13 genes
• What is the role of the MAOA gene according to Tiihonen et al.?

  Controls dopamine and serotonin linked to aggression
• What is the CDH13 gene linked to according to Tiihonen et al.?

  Substance abuse and ADHD
• What percentage of severe violent crime in Finland is attributed to MAOA and CDH13 genotypes?

  5-10%