One - Inheritance of genes could explain presence of simple and complex behavioural characteristics.
Two - Reinforces ideas of bio determinism and claims biology contributed to many social problems through late 19th century.
How has Eugenics been used and how has it varied over time?
Nazi Germany sterilisation programme. Advocates for higher rates of reproduction for people with desirable trains and higher rates of sterilisation for people with undesirable traits.
What did sterilisation claim to do?
Would prevent incarcerated criminals from giving birth to criminal offspring.
What did Osborn and West (1970s) suggest?
Research provided support to Eugenics. Found 40% of boys whose father's had criminal records had criminal records themselves, compared with 12% of boys whose father's didn't have a criminal record.
Will a widespread policy of Eugenics occur anytime soon?
Unlikely. However, in 2015 - due to moral and ethical reasons - a UK judge gave an order allowing a mother of 6 with learning disabilities to be sterilised.
