CRM 1300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Neurosis, Twin Study, Neurochemistry

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRM 1300
• Professor: Michael Kempa

Document Summary

We are talking about a correlation between individual characteristics and a socially defined phenomenon. Much of this domain of research is thereby concerned with identifying reliable (subgroups of people defined as criminal) Biological theories are for the most part individualistic and assume a fundamentally consensual model of society. Hormones, genetics longitudinal studies vs cross sectional investigation. Very little indication that biology is the direct case of crime. Certain rare forms of epilepsy have been associated with aggressive behaviour where there is extensive brain damage. High levels of testosterone usually associated with crime. Most biological factors are related to criminal behaviour indirect ways: tendencies or proclivities that are brought out or suppressed through physical environment (ex: perinatal factors) or social influences (social class, parents. Hereditary factors: twin studies and adoption studies confirm higher rates of criminality amongst siblings and offspring who shared the greater degree of genetic similarity.