What makes a criminal?

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Topic 1 - What makes a criminal?

Physiological Explanations

Evolution

Criminals are a subspecies of human and could be identified by their primitive physiological features such as prominent jaws, monobrow, large ears, extra nips/toes/fingers. This was based on observations carried out on prisoners. This explanation is therefore physiological in nature. 

Criminal body type

 

Endomorphs - fat, soft, sociable and relaxed

Mesomorphs - muscular, aggressive and adventurous.

Ectomorph - thin, fragile and introverted

Insufficient evidence to support this theory. Reductionist

Creates a stigma - reinforcing and encouraging criminal behavior (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Genetic

Jacobs et al found that men with an extra Y chromosome (XYY) were more aggressive than XY men. 0.001% of the global population but 1.5% of the prison population. XYY males are less intelligent so may be more easily swayed towards crime, especially as they may find earning a living more difficult. 

Osborn & West 13% were…

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