Criminal Behavior CJ142

1. Unit 1 Criminal BehaviorCJ142

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Psychophysiology Peripheral Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System Behavior Heartbeat Blood pressure Breathing Digestion

7. 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

8. 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 

9. Sheldon’s Body Types- Somatotyping • 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.

10. 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

11. 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 introversion-extroversion. • 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.

12. 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

13. 4 Factors • 1 higher order for personality, 3 higher order factors for Temperament. • Personality • Ability • g » General intelligence • Temperament • Extraversion • Neuroticism • Psychoticism

14. Explanation

15. Location of the RAS Relative to Other Brain Structures

16. Recticular Activating System • Extravert • Cortically underaroused, seeks additional stimulation • Introvert • Cortically overaroused, avoids stimulation • Ambivert • Intermediate cortical arousal, moderate stimulation

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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?