Biological theories Of Crime

Question 1

Biological theory

Answer 1

Focus on idea that physical characteristics make some people more likely to commit crime than others

Question 2

Genetic theories

Answer 2

XYY theory
Twin studies
Adoption study

Question 3

XYY theory

Answer 3

JACOB ET AL 1965- males with XYY chromosome more aggressive and more violent therefore criminal. Significant number of men in prison had XYY chromosomes rather than XY

Question 4

Positives of XYY theory

Answer 4

Jacob et al 1965- significant number of men in prison had XYY chromosomes.

Adler 2007- aggressive behaviour is atleast partly determined by genetic factors

Question 5

Negatives of XYY theory

Answer 5

•Outdated
•studies found gene
Tic abnormalities are widespread through population and doesn’t explain aggression
•ignores behaviour approach
• Theilgaard 1984- characteristics of aggression not associated with XYY men

Question 6

Twin studies

Answer 6

If you are an identical twin your more likely to go to prison
MZ- identical twins
DZ- non identical

Question 7

Johannes Lange

Answer 7

MZ Twins shoes higher degree of concordance than DX Twins for criminal behaviour.
10/13 MZ Twins in prison whereas 2/17 DZ Twins

Question 8

Christiansen

Answer 8

Studied 3586 Twins from danish islands and found concordance rates of 35% in MZ and 13% in DZ makes.
21% MZ and 8% DZ female

Question 9

Positives of twin study

Answer 9

• Natural experiment
• Christiansen supports view that criminality has genetic components
• results of twin studies helped in prevention of vulnerable disorders

Question 10

Negatives of twin study

Answer 10

• Twin studies not controlled as twins were judged on looks not genetics
• small sample
• twins brought up together so could be nurture

Question 11

Adoption study

Answer 11

Hutchins and mednick- studied 14000 adopted children and found higher priority ion of those with criminal convictions also had parents with criminal convictions. Persons genetics that influence behaviour

Question 12

Positives of adoption study

Answer 12

• adopted kids are exposed to doffernt environment to their biological family
• studies found correlation between children and biological parents
• large sample

Question 13

Negatives of adoption study

Answer 13

• age of adoption may mean they’ve already been influenced by natural parents or foster environment
• info about biological family isn’t always available
• adopted kids placed with parents similar to biological family’s