Biological theories (explanations for criminality)

Created by: kT
Created on: 10-01-13 17:35

Family history studies ( concordance rate for First Degree family members is 50% and 25% for Second Degree family members).

Osborne and West: When sons had criminal fathers the rate of them having criminal convictions was at 40% when compared with non-criminal fathers their sons had concordance rate of 13%.

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Strengths

Some studies support it, matches up with nature approach.

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Limitations

Does not take into account environment.

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Twin studies ( MZ have higher concordance rate than DZ)

Christiansen: Found the accordance of criminality to be 35% for MZ and 13% for DZ twins.

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Strengths

Consistent with gender influence.

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Limitations

Ignores environmental influences, MZ not actually much higher than DZ.

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Adoption studies( helps to unravel environmental and genetic influences)

Crave: when biological mothers had a criminal record their children ran a 50% risk of acquiring one by 18. Compared with a 5% risk when the biological mother didn't have a criminal conviction.

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Strengths

Does take into environment.

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Limitations

May not be criminality being inherited but rather alcoholism? (BOHMAN ET AL), adopted children not always adopted at birth= later experiences effect their later development.

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How does the genetic influence operate..

Hollin= With abnormalities in the CNS, ANS and the Endocrine system.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Some studies support it, matches up with nature approach.

Back

Strengths

Card 3

Front

Does not take into account environment.

Back

Card 4

Front

Christiansen: Found the accordance of criminality to be 35% for MZ and 13% for DZ twins.

Back

Card 5

Front

Consistent with gender influence.

Back

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Biological theories (explanations for criminality)