The atavistic form is a biological explanation for criminal offending entering on the idea that offenders may represent a more primitive evolutionary stage of development. This may be shown in a range of facial and physical features (Lombroso, 1870s)
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Card 17
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This theory suggests criminals are born this way and so it is not their fault as behaviour is determined by physiology. However his research lacked scientific rigour as no females were studied and only Italians criminals were studied.
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Additionally, research in 1913 looked at the features and compared 2348 London convicts with a control group and failed to replicate the finding concluding that behaviour is not linked to physical appearance.
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The theory has also contributed to criminals being stereotyped as looking a certain way and this is unhelpful as it endorses the idea that certain features are associated with criminal behaviour. Causes discrimination.
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Research reviewing 13 twin studies found 52% concordance in MZ twins compared with 21% for DZ twins suggesting a genetic link.
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However this research is in its infancy and has not been replicated so far & is therefore unreliable.al behaviour may come about through a combination of genetic predisposition and biological or psychological trigger.
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A study of over 13,000 Danish adoptees found when neither biological or adoptive parents had convictions, 13.5% of adoptees did. When either biological parents did, this rose up to 20%.
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The separation of genetic and environmental influences in adoption studies is complicated by late adoption which means children may have spent childhood with their biological parents or they may maintain contact with them after adoption as well.
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There are three biochemicals implicated in offending behaviour, noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine. Noradrenaline is involved in the fight or flight response and helps respond to a threading situation.
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Dopamine is linked to addiction and substance abuse which makes crime more likely. Dopaminergic activity in the limbic system causes pleasure which makes addiction more likely.
