Transcript Criminal Behavior CJ142

Unit 1
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
CJ142
GENETICS
Genetics may play a role in
criminality, but it is only an
insignificant one.
There is little doubt that
environment, as well as
individual or group values,
are important determinants
and causes of
criminal behavior
Can it be… Hereditary?~?~
• Heredity-based physiological workings have
been dismissed and shunned, and their
possible role as factors in criminality is often
dismissed.
• Why is this? Accepting heredity or biological
factors as underlying factors imply that
criminal acts are unavoidable, inevitable
consequences. Heredity is destiny and not
much can be done to prevent the ill fated from
becoming a criminal.
Biopsychologists
 Examine the genetic and neurophysiological
variables that play a part in criminal behavior,
how important they are, and what can be
done to modify them.
 Recognize that understanding social
environment is as important as
understanding the biological aspect.
Criminal Behavior and Adoption
Studies
Genetic components may
contribute to tendency to become
criminal
 Genes may not directly influence
behavior but influence one’s
susceptibility or resistance to
environmental risk factors
Psychophysiology
Peripheral
Nervous System
Behavior
Autonomic
Nervous
System
Heartbeat
Blood pressure
Breathing
Digestion
Temperament
 Natural mood disposition determined largely
by genetics and biology
 How we approach and interact with our social
environment influences how that environment will
interact with us
3 Things That Effect
Temperament
 Three assumptions
 Constitutional or biological basis
 Appears in infancy and continues throughout life
 Influenced by the environment
Temperament:
 Has biological underpinnings that are best identified at
birth
 Most research focuses on infants
 Can be modified by environment and caregivers
 Activity and emotionality are two of the behaviors that
are strong indicators of temperament
Sheldon’s Body TypesSomatotyping

Ectomorphic: characterized by long and thin muscles/limbs and low fat
storage; receding chin, usually referred to as slim.

Mesomorphic: characterized by medium bones, solid torso, low fat levels,
wide shoulders with a narrow waist; usually referred to as muscular.

Endomorphic: characterized by increased fat storage, a wide waist and a
large bone structure, usually referred to as fat.
XYY Genotype
 What is the XYY Genotype?- Males inherit an extra Y chromosome--their
genotype is XYY. As adults, these "super-males" are usually tall (above 6 feet) and generally
appear and act normal. However, they produce high levels of testosterone. During
adolescence, they often are slender, have severe facial acne, and are poorly
coordinated. They are usually fertile and lead ordinary lives as adults. Many, if not most, are
unaware that they have a chromosomal abnormality. The frequency of XYY syndrome is not
certain due to statistical differences between different studies. It may be as common as 1 in
900 male births to as rare as 1 in 1500 or even 1 in 2,000.
Early studies of XYY syndrome done in European prisons initially led to the erroneous
conclusion that these men were genetically predisposed to antisocial, aggressive behavior,
below average intelligence, and homosexuality.
 Unusual height, episodes of violent aggression, and borderline
intelligence
 Numerous infamous murderers: Contributing to the early view that XYY
syndrome men have serious personality disorders was the case of Richard Speck. In 1966, he
coldly murdered 8 nurses in a Chicago dormitory. At his trial, his lawyer claimed that he was
innocent due to uncontrollable urges caused by his XYY genotype. This novel appeal was akin
to claiming insanity or severely diminished mental competence. The jury was not convinced
and found him guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison where he eventually
died. In fact, Richard Speck did not have an XYY genotype. However, some researchers
suggest that the high testosterone levels of XYY men can make them somewhat more prone to
violence.
 May be relationship
 Unsuccessful as defense
Hans Eysenck
 Eysenck was a psychologist at Mill Hill hospital
during World War Two, where he conducted
research concerning the reliability of psychiatric
diagnosis. His findings found two major areas of
personality - neuroticism and introversionextroversion.
 Eysenck based his theory focusing on physiology
and genetics. While he believed that learned
habits are important, he felt that personality
stems from genetic influence or' what we are
born with.
Hans Eysencks Theory
 Genetic and psychobiological factors play an
important role in the understanding of
criminal behavior
 Different personalities are more susceptible
to certain crimes than others
 Eysenck Personality Questionnaire—Revised
http://www.trans4mind.com/personality/index.html
4 Factors
 1 higher order for personality, 3 higher order
factors for Temperament.
 Personality
 Ability
 g » General intelligence
 Temperament
 Extraversion
 Neuroticism
 Psychoticism
Explanation
Location of the RAS Relative to
Other Brain Structures
Recticular Activating System
 Extravert
 Cortically underaroused, seeks
additional stimulation
 Introvert
 Cortically overaroused, avoids
stimulation
 Ambivert
 Intermediate cortical arousal,
moderate stimulation
The 3 Types
 Extravert




Sociable, impulsive, optimistic, talkative
High need for excitement and varied environment
Short-tempered, easily aggressive, unreliable
Some like spicy foods, loud music and vividly colored objects
 Introvert




Reserved, quiet, cautious, controlled feelings
Often avoids excitement, change, social activities
Reliable and unaggressive
Prefers bland foods, cool or dark objects and quiet music
 Ambivert
 Both extraversion and introversion features
 Lesser degree and consistency
Neuroticism
 Emotionality
 Biological predisposition to react physiologically to
stressful events
 Reticular Activating System
 Awakens and arouses the cerebral cortex
 Thinking, memory, and decision making
 High Stress
 Reacts intensely to stress and has difficulty returning to normal
state
 Low Stress
 Moody, touchy, sensitive to slights, anxious
 Complaints of physical ailments
Theory of Crime
 Those who engage in deviant behavior have
not made adequate connections between
antisocial behavior and its consequences
 Poor conditionability or lack of socialization
 Don’t anticipate aversive consequences enough
to be deterred
THE BASICS
 Classical/Pavlovian Conditioning
 Operant Conditioning/ Instrumental
learning
 Social Learning
So…What about it??
 Eysenck’s theory is in a state of flux…
 1- Genetics and how it relates to anti social behavior
 2- Recognizes the interaction of the environment
with relationship to the nervous system
 3- The existence however small of biological factors
in antisocial behavior
 It is unique how?