Theories of Criminality

Created by: StressedOutSon
Created on: 11-03-22 14:32

Jacob's XYY Theory

Theory created by Jacob in which males may have an additional Y chromosome on the 23rd chromosome (identifies gender). As the Y chromosome is linked to testosterone, it is understood that this additional Y chromosome increases testosterone in the male, th

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Adoption Studies

The study of adopted children and their adoptive and biological parents by Mednick. This studies aim to identify whether criminality is the result of biological or environmental factors (nature vs nurture). This theory identifies that adopted children wer

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Twin Studies

The study of monozygotic (100% shared DNA (identical) and dyzygotic (50% shared DNA (non-identical) twins, by Lange and Christiansen in regards to concordance rates. This study found that dyzygotic twins were more likely to both be convicted of an offence

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Lomboroso's Theory

The theory created by Lombroso which identified that people were likely to commit a crime based on characteristics (physiology). This theory identified that individuals were more likely to commit a crime if they possessed atavistic characteristics.For exa

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Sheldon's Theory

The study conducted by Sheldon which built on from Lombroso's theory and identified somatotypes (body types). These were endomorphic (fat and soft (socialable and relaxed), ectomorphic (thin and fragile (introverted and restrained) and mesomorphic (muscul

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Brain Damage/Abnormality

Studies have identified that damage to the pre-frontal cortex of the brain may cause a person to have an altered behaviour pattern as the pre-frontal cortex controls impulsive behaviour and may lead to more violent acts.

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Theories of Criminality