Crim unit 2

• What is the key idea of Lombroso's theory on criminals?

  Criminals are physically different from non-criminals.
• What did Lombroso measure in his study?

  He measured many criminals' heads and faces.
• What physical traits did Lombroso find in criminals?

  Large jaws, long arms, aquiline noses.
• What does atavism refer to in Lombroso's theory?

  Criminals are throwbacks to primitive evolution.
• What types of criminals did Lombroso further categorize?

  Insane criminals and epileptic criminals.
• What are the strengths of Lombroso's theory?

  • First to study crime scientifically
  • Highlights importance of clinical and historical records
  • Focuses on prevention rather than punishment
• What are the limitations of Lombroso's theory?

  • No evidence linking facial features to criminality
  • Did not compare with non-criminal control group
  • Contains racist elements equating criminals with non-western societies
• What is the key idea of Sheldon's somatypes theory?

  Body type is related to criminality.
• What body type did Sheldon find most likely to be criminal?

  Mesomorphic somatype.
• Why are mesomorphs thought to be attracted to crime?

  They are risk-takers with assertive physiques.
• What are the strengths of Sheldon's theory?

  • Other studies replicate findings
  • Serious delinquents often have mesomorphic bodies
• What are the limitations of Sheldon's theory?

  • Criminality likely a mix of biology and environment
  • Mesomorphic build may result from criminality
  • Social class might be the true cause of offending
  • Mesomorphs may be more likely to be labeled
• What does atavism mean in criminology?

  Throwbacks to primitive evolution.
• What is an endomorph?

  Rounded, soft-bodied, sociable individual.
• What is an ectomorph?

  Thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle.
• What is a mesomorph?

  Muscular, hard-bodied, adventurous individual.
• What do physiological theories claim?

  Physical features of criminals differ from non-criminals.
• What do biological theories suggest about criminals?

  Criminals are biologically different from non-criminals.
• What is the key idea of twin and adoption studies in criminology?

  If crime is genetic, MZ twins should be identical.
• What did Christiansen find in his study of twins?

  MZ twins had 52% concordance in criminality.
• What does the adoption study by Mednick et al. suggest?

  Criminality matches biological parents more.
• What are the strengths of twin and adoption studies?

  • Provide support for genetic explanations
  • Overcome issues of isolating genes and environment
• What are the limitations of twin and adoption studies?

  • Research design is logical but complex
  • MZ twins would have 100% concordance if genetic
  • Impossible to fully isolate genetic effects
  • Adopted children often placed with similar families
• What is the key idea of Jacob's XYY study?

  XYY syndrome predisposes males to criminality.
• What did Jacob's study find about XYY syndrome?

  Higher proportion of inmates had XYY.
• What features are associated with XYY males?

  Very tall, well-built, low intelligence, high aggression.
• What are the strengths of Jacob's XYY study?

  • Found association with XYY and violent prisoners
  • Links found with XYY and property crime
• What are the limitations of Jacob's XYY study?

  • Having the syndrome doesn't cause crime
  • Fits stereotype of violent offenders (labelling theory)
  • Low intelligence may increase chances of being caught
  • Syndrome too rare to explain much crime
• What is the key idea regarding brain injuries and disorders?

  Brain injuries can change personality and behavior.
• What is the significance of Phineas Gage's case?

  His personality changed after a brain injury.
• What are some brain diseases linked to criminal behavior?

  • Dementia
  • Encephalitis Lethargica
  • Brain tumors
  • Huntington's chorea
• What are the strengths of studying brain injuries and disorders?

  • Some extreme cases show behavior changes
  • Correlation between abnormal EEG readings and psychopathy
  • Higher likelihood of brain injury in prisoners
• What are the limitations of studying brain injuries and disorders?

  • Crimes caused by brain injury are rare
  • Original personality is more important
  • Abnormal EEG not always the cause
  • Higher likelihood of brain injury may be due to criminality
• What is the key idea of biochemical explanations in criminology?

  Biochemical processes are linked to criminality.
• What age range shows a peak in criminality related to biochemical factors?

  Puberty to early 20s.
• What are some biochemical factors linked to crime?

  • Hormonal fluctuations (PHT, PND)
  • Hypoglycemia linked to aggression
  • Drugs and alcohol linked to crime
  • Lead and vitamin B deficiency linked to erratic behavior
• What are the strengths of biochemical explanations?

  • Recognized by courts
  • Known effects of sex hormones, alcohol, and drugs
• What are the general criticisms of biological theories?

  • Environmental triggers are significant
  • Some studies find testosterone not linked to aggression
  • Infanticide may be due to isolation, not hormones
• What is the key idea of Freud's psychoanalysis in criminology?

  Early childhood experiences shape personality and behavior.
• What are the three conflicting elements of the unconscious mind according to Freud?

  Id, ego, and superego.