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Biological Theories

Biological Theories. Genetic and inherited traits Genetic mutation (not inherited) Environmentally induced biological causes (head injury). Goring.

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Biological Theories

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  1. Biological Theories • Genetic and inherited traits • Genetic mutation (not inherited) • Environmentally induced biological causes (head injury)

  2. Goring • The English Convict (1913): A challenge to Lombroso. Using new statistical methods, Goring attempted to demonstrate that crime was the product of inherited mental deficiency, not phrenology, physiognomy as Lombroso contended.

  3. Twin and Adoption Studies • Twin studies: show greater similarity in criminal behavior among identical vs. fraternal twins • Christiansen (Danish Twins Register) • Adoption • Hutchings and Mednick (biological fathers criminal behavior predicts adopted child crime)

  4. Other Biological Mechanisms • Neurotransmitters • e.g., Serotonin (see today’s supplementary reading) • Hormones • Testosterone (Booth and Osgood 1993) • Central Nervous System • Temporal lobe: emotional expression (sexual offending?) • Frontal lobe: neuropsychological performance (violent offending?)

  5. Autonomic Nervous SystemEysenck • ANS: “Fight or flight”—anxiety reaction in anticipation of punishment • Introverts: rapid excitation, slow inhibition • stimulus avoidance • heightened threat of punishment • Extroverts: slow excitation, rapid inhibition • stimulus “hunger” • less anxiety experienced in anticipating crime • psychopaths: extreme extroverts/conscienceless

  6. PersonalityThe Gluecks • Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency: • The delinquent personality as a constellation of related characteristics • “…delinquents are more extroverted, vivacious, impulsive, and less self-controlled…more hostile, resentful, defiant, suspicious, and destructive…less fearful of failure or defeat…less concerned about meeting conventional expectations…less submissive to authority…more socially assertive…”

  7. Psychological ApproachesIQ and Delinquency • : why is there an association? If IQ measures actual cognitive ability: • Low IQ children have low IQ parents with poor parenting skills (Gordon) • Low IQ children perform poorly in school, leading to school rejection and truancy, which then leads to delinquency (Hirschi and Hindelang). • Low IQ children seek short-term gratification, leading, in some cases, to criminal behavior.

  8. Psychological ApproachesIQ and Delinquency • If IQ measures qualities that are related to the dominant culture: • Low IQ children are those children who are not socialized to the dominant culture (for instance, some minorities). These groups may also be more criminal because of different cultural backgrounds, discrimination, etc.

  9. Psychological approachesIQ and Delinquency • IQ measures socially determined ability: • IQ is malleable: e.g., discrepancies between African American poor and middle class children emerge across childhood • Doug Downey (OSU): African American and White children learn at the same rate during the school year, but drop off more during the summer.

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