Biological Positivism in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

According to Nurture, what is the primary factor influencing intelligence?

Environment

What is the focus of forensic psychiatrists and forensic psychology?

Practical applications

What is the assumption of social control theory?

Humans are impulsive and antisocial if left to their own devices

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, what is the single psychological construct that helps individuals not to offend?

Self-control Signup and view all the answers

What is a weakness of Positivism?

It only uses incarcerated people to study criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Positivist studies?

They struggle to control for environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What do Positivists struggle to discern in their studies?

Whether impairment causes criminality or vice versa Signup and view all the answers

What is the term coined by Cesare Lombroso to describe individuals who exhibit particular traits that correspond to the various stages of human evolution?

Born Criminal Signup and view all the answers

According to Phrenology, what is the relationship between the shape and size of the skull?

It corresponds to the functions and ability of the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a component of the self-control construct proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi?

Openness to experience Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the Somatotype School in understanding criminal behavior?

Body type or physiology Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the Binet Scale, which measured intellectual ability and level?

Alfred Binet Signup and view all the answers

What term did H.H. Goddard introduce to classify individuals with intellectual capacity between that of 'normal' and 'idiot'?

Moron Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of William Sheldon's theory based on body type?

Somatotype Theory Signup and view all the answers

What was the characteristic of an endomorph according to William Sheldon's theory?

Relaxed, sociable, and fond of eating Signup and view all the answers

What was the main idea of Cesare Lombroso's Biological Positivism?

Criminality is a result of biological factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the 'Just Deserts' approach?

On the offence and the type of crime committed Signup and view all the answers

According to classical theory, what is the reason behind an individual's decision to break the law?

Irrational choice Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of classical theory, according to the text?

It does not consider the 'why' of the activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of Positivism, according to the text?

To understand and address the root causes of crime Signup and view all the answers

What is the key distinction made by Positivists, according to the text?

Between normal and abnormal behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Biological Positivism, according to the text?

On the biological factors that predispose individuals to crime Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment in Positivism, according to the text?

To rehabilitate the offender Signup and view all the answers

What is the main criticism of classical theory regarding the role of the state?

It allows the powerful to exploit the law Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Positivism

Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909) linked criminality to biological traits, coining the term "Born Criminal" and "Atavistic Criminals" with "Atavistic Stigmata".
Lombroso believed female criminals were more aggressive and biologically more like men.

Phrenology

Phrenology assumes that skull shape and size correspond to brain function and ability.
A 1912 study found that individuals who stole cattle had smaller brain capacity than those who committed fraud or embezzlement.

Intelligence and Crime

Alfred Binet developed the Binet Scale to measure intellectual ability in children.
H.H. Goddard brought the scale to the USA, arguing that intelligence is an inborn, fixed, solitary entity that can be measured.
The Binet Scale classified people as 'normal', 'idiot', or 'imbecile', with an added classification of 'moron' for those with intellectual capacity between 'normal' and 'idiot'.

Somatotype School

William Sheldon proposed a theory that body type determines criminal behavior:
- Endomorph (soft and round): relaxed, sociable, and fond of eating.
- Mesomorph (muscular and strong): energetic, courageous, and assertive.

Criticisms of Classical Theory

Weaknesses include:
- Failing to address the "why" behind criminal behavior.
- Focusing on the offense, not the offender.
- Allowing the powerful to exploit laws for their benefit.

Biological and Psychological Positivism

Positivists explain crime as a result of external forces, without appealing to a deity.
The goal of sociology is to identify and alleviate social dysfunctions.

Basic Concepts

There is a distinction between 'normal' and 'deviant' behavior.
Behavior is determined by biological, psychological, and social forces.
Individuals have equal rights and capacities.
Research focuses on the offender, not the criminal act.

Divisions of Positivism

Biology-focused positivists:
- Nurture camp: intelligence is not inherited, but a product of the environment.
Practical application-focused positivists:
- Forensic psychiatrists and forensic psychologists.
- Research-based positivists focusing on social control theory.

The question is not why people offend, but why most people do not offend.
Individuals learn self-control through:
- Impulsivity or inability to defer gratification
- Lack of perseverance
- Preference for risky behavior
- Preference for physical vs mental activity
- Self-centredness
- Low threshold for frustration

Weaknesses of Positivism

Positivism fails to explain white-collar crime.
Studies only use incarcerated individuals, making it unclear whether impairment causes criminality or vice versa.
Controlling for all variables is difficult in real-world studies.