Criminology Lecture 13: Biosocial Theories

Identical twins. They originate from a single fertilized egg and share 100% of their DNA.

Fraternal twins. They develop from two separate eggs, sharing approximately 50% of their DNA, similar to regular siblings.

The degree of similarity in a trait between two individuals, often expressed as a percentage.

The assumption that identical twins share the same environment.

The proportion of variance in a trait that is attributed to genetic factors.

A type of study that investigates the influence of genes on behavior by comparing identical and fraternal twins.

An organism's primary goal is to ensure the survival and replication of its genes.

The study of the interaction between biological and social factors in shaping criminal behavior.

Biological criminology theories suggest that individuals are predisposed to crime due to their biological makeup, including their body type, brain structure, and genetic predisposition.

Atavism is a concept suggesting that criminals are evolutionary throwbacks, less evolved than non-criminals. This theory draws inspiration from Darwin's ideas on evolution.

Physical stigmata are specific physical characteristics that were believed to distinguish criminals from non-criminals. Lombroso argued that these traits were evidence of atavism.

Charles Goring, a critic of Lombroso, conducted research on English convicts and college students. He found no evidence for Lombroso's physical stigmata but did find that convicts were smaller and less intelligent than college students. He argued this was due to heredity.

Critiques of early biological theories include the lack of evidence supporting the inheritance of criminal tendencies, poor methods of measuring crime and intelligence, and limited sample sizes, which limits the generalizability of the findings.

The theory that criminals are born with specific biological characteristics that make them predisposed to crime is now largely discredited. Modern biological research focuses on more complex interactions between genes and environment.

Modern research focuses on how genetic factors interact with environmental factors to influence an individual's risk for criminal behavior. This includes understanding neurobiology, hormones, and other biological factors related to crime.

The idea that individuals with low activity MAOA gene are more prone to maladaptive behavior in the face of adversity.

The theory that genes that may be considered 'bad' in negative environments can actually be advantageous in positive environments.

The 5-HTT gene transports serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to punishment sensitivity. Individuals with short alleles of 5-HTT are less sensitive to punishment.

The DRD4 gene influences dopamine reception, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Individuals with long alleles of DRD4 may have heightened sensitivity to reward.

The cumulative effect of both 5-HTT and DRD4 gene variants can contribute to an increased likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior.

Research examining the impact of genes on behavior often considers environmental factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, exposure to discrimination, and levels of religious involvement.

The theory that genetically determined traits that are disadvantageous in a particular environment will likely disappear over time due to natural selection.

A type of genetic analysis that calculates the total number of alleles related to a specific trait, such as educational attainment, across an individual's chromosomes.

A research perspective that suggests individuals vary in their sensitivity to environmental influences, with some being more susceptible to both positive and negative environmental effects.

A research perspective that emphasizes the role of environmental stressors, particularly those that are experienced early in life in triggering psychological problems and criminal behavior.

A longitudinal study following a specific cohort of individuals from childhood into adulthood to examine the development of criminal behavior and its contributing factors.

Factors that intervene between the influence of genes and the emergence of criminal behavior

A concept that highlights the importance of both genetic and environmental factors in shaping human behavior, emphasizing their dynamic interplay.

The idea that genetic factors play a minimal role in explaining crime trends over time, as cultural and societal changes contribute to crime variations.

People today are, on average, less intellectually capable than those a century ago, but this difference is minute compared to cultural advances in education.

The idea that individuals with lower IQ scores are more likely to commit crimes.

The study by Hirschi and Hindelang demonstrated that IQ is a significant predictor of crime, even within specific racial and socioeconomic groups.

IQ predicts how serious a crime is and the likelihood of reoffending.

IQ scores mainly predict verbal reasoning abilities, and a deficit in this area is associated with a higher likelihood of criminal behavior.

The average IQ level in a community is strongly linked to its overall crime rate.

The controversy surrounding IQ scores revolves around whether they accurately measure innate cognitive ability or are influenced by environmental factors.

DNA is the instruction manual for building an organism. It's found in every cell's nucleus, organized into 46 volumes called chromosomes. Each page in a chromosome is a gene that controls a specific trait (phenotype). The variations in these pages are called alleles, which can cause differences between individuals.

Alleles are variations of genes, meaning not everyone has the same version of a gene. The presence of a specific allele, particularly an allele that is beneficial under certain conditions, can influence an individual's traits and survival.

The interaction between genes and the environment influences behavior. This concept is known as GxE, where G stands for Genetics and E stands for Environment.

Certain genes, like the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene, have variations (alleles) that influence neurotransmitter levels, potentially affecting behavior. The low-activity variant of the MAOA gene has been linked to increased risk of aggression and criminal behavior in certain contexts.

Studies show a correlation between low-activity MAOA alleles and increased likelihood of weapon use and gang membership in men, highlighting the influence of genetics on certain behaviors, particularly in the context of environmental factors.

The effects of genes on behavior are often influenced by gender, with men being more susceptible to certain behavioral outcomes when exposed to environmental stressors.

Bees exhibit different behaviors depending on their genetic makeup. Hygienic bees are resistant to foul brood disease, while non-hygienic bees are susceptible. This variation demonstrates how genes influence behavior within a species.

Genes play a significant role in shaping behavior, influencing neurotransmitter levels, predisposing individuals to certain traits, and interacting with environmental factors. However, behavior is a complex interplay of multiple factors, including genetics, environment, and individual life experiences.