AC 3.2 Evaluation Theories of crime
AC 3.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of criminological theories to explain causes of criminality
Biological theories
Topic Strengths Limitations
Genetic -> XYY Similar studies indicated that it is This theory is focusing too heavily on
possible that aggressive and violent genetics and ignores the
behavior is at least partly determined behaviorist approach, also not
by genetic factors. considering any other theories or
A study conducted by Jacob et al. perspectives.
found that approx. 15 in 1000 inmates Other studies have found that genetic
had XYY chromosomes instead of the abnormalities are widespread throughout
normal XY, compared to 1 in 1000 of the general population and do not
the normal population which suggests necessarily explain aggression or why
that this condition is found in those crime occurs.
who commit crimes.
Genetic -> Twins All experiments that prove this theory There is a small sample involved in twin
are natural experiments, as the studies which may not be representative
biological relationships between the of the general population and therefore
twins are a naturally occurring inaccurate.
variable. Another concert with this theory is that If
These studies also support the view twins are brought up in the same
that criminality does have a genetic environment, criminality could just be as
component when it comes to easily be related to nurture as to
committing crimes. genetics (nature).
Genetic -> Adoption Studies have concluded that there is a The adoption process is not always
correlation between adopted children random, as often children are placed with
and their biological parents in parents like their biological families and
committing crimes. therefore the environment could be to
As adopted children are exposed to a blame for people committing crimes.
different environment from their The age of adoption may also mean the
biological family, it is easier to say that adopted children have already been
genetics play an important part when it influenced by either their natural parents
comes to criminality. or their foster environment.
Physiological -> Lombroso Lombroso was the first person to give Not all criminals may have atavistic
criminology scientific credibility. features, only 40% of criminals Lombroso
Lombroso’s work appears to be backed looked at had atavistic features. There
up by studies that found lower rates of may be people who have atavistic
intelligence in convicts- suggesting they features that aren’t criminal.
might be less evolved. His work People with atavistic features will
challenged the idea that criminals be labelled and a self-fulfilling prophecy.
chose to commit crimes.
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, AC 3.2 Evaluation Theories of crime
Physiological -> Sheldon Studies such as Glueck and Ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be
Glueck (1956) found that 60% of criminals which is contradictory to
the offenders in their Sheldon’s idea that mesomorphs are
study were mesomorphs and therefore criminals.
there is a link between the body and Mesomorphs can be treated differently
criminality. because of how they look; they might be
labeled leading to a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
Brain injuries In a few extreme cases, brain injury or Crime caused by brain injury or disease
disease has led to major changes in an are rare. The sufferer's original
individual's personality and behaviour, personality is more important in whether
including criminality. they engage in crime.
Prisoners are also more likely than non- Prisoners' higher likelihood of brain
prisoners to have a brain injury which injury could be a result of their criminality
is significant to the conclusion that (e.g., getting into fights), rather than a
brain injuries could result in criminal cause of it.
behaviour.
Neurochemical Biochemical factors are recognized by Biochemical processes may
the courts. The law states that if a predispose some individuals to offend,
mother kills her baby as a result of but it may require an
post-natal depression or breastfeeding, environmental 'trigger' to cause actual
she has a partial defence to murder. offending and is therefore, up to an
Sexual hormones , blood sugar levels individual if they choose to commit a
and substance abuse an affect mood, crime or not.
judgment and aggression which
increases changes to commit crime.
Individual theories
Topic Strengths Limitations
Learning theories -> The experiment and variables, such as The theory assumes that people's
Bandura the gender and actions of the model, behavior is completely determined by
were controlled, thus allowing greater their learning experiences and ignores
accuracy. their freedom of choice (FREE WILL). This
Bandura shows that children who also conflicts with legal views of crime,
observed aggressive behaviour being which assume that we all have free
rewarded, imitated that behaviour. will to commit crimes.
This shows the importance of role Exposing children to aggression is
models in learning deviant behaviour. bringing ethical issues and questions of
the protection of the children from both
psychological and physical harm.
Learning theories -> The fact that crime often runs Not everyone who is exposed to
2|Page
AC 3.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of criminological theories to explain causes of criminality
Biological theories
Topic Strengths Limitations
Genetic -> XYY Similar studies indicated that it is This theory is focusing too heavily on
possible that aggressive and violent genetics and ignores the
behavior is at least partly determined behaviorist approach, also not
by genetic factors. considering any other theories or
A study conducted by Jacob et al. perspectives.
found that approx. 15 in 1000 inmates Other studies have found that genetic
had XYY chromosomes instead of the abnormalities are widespread throughout
normal XY, compared to 1 in 1000 of the general population and do not
the normal population which suggests necessarily explain aggression or why
that this condition is found in those crime occurs.
who commit crimes.
Genetic -> Twins All experiments that prove this theory There is a small sample involved in twin
are natural experiments, as the studies which may not be representative
biological relationships between the of the general population and therefore
twins are a naturally occurring inaccurate.
variable. Another concert with this theory is that If
These studies also support the view twins are brought up in the same
that criminality does have a genetic environment, criminality could just be as
component when it comes to easily be related to nurture as to
committing crimes. genetics (nature).
Genetic -> Adoption Studies have concluded that there is a The adoption process is not always
correlation between adopted children random, as often children are placed with
and their biological parents in parents like their biological families and
committing crimes. therefore the environment could be to
As adopted children are exposed to a blame for people committing crimes.
different environment from their The age of adoption may also mean the
biological family, it is easier to say that adopted children have already been
genetics play an important part when it influenced by either their natural parents
comes to criminality. or their foster environment.
Physiological -> Lombroso Lombroso was the first person to give Not all criminals may have atavistic
criminology scientific credibility. features, only 40% of criminals Lombroso
Lombroso’s work appears to be backed looked at had atavistic features. There
up by studies that found lower rates of may be people who have atavistic
intelligence in convicts- suggesting they features that aren’t criminal.
might be less evolved. His work People with atavistic features will
challenged the idea that criminals be labelled and a self-fulfilling prophecy.
chose to commit crimes.
1|Page
, AC 3.2 Evaluation Theories of crime
Physiological -> Sheldon Studies such as Glueck and Ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be
Glueck (1956) found that 60% of criminals which is contradictory to
the offenders in their Sheldon’s idea that mesomorphs are
study were mesomorphs and therefore criminals.
there is a link between the body and Mesomorphs can be treated differently
criminality. because of how they look; they might be
labeled leading to a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
Brain injuries In a few extreme cases, brain injury or Crime caused by brain injury or disease
disease has led to major changes in an are rare. The sufferer's original
individual's personality and behaviour, personality is more important in whether
including criminality. they engage in crime.
Prisoners are also more likely than non- Prisoners' higher likelihood of brain
prisoners to have a brain injury which injury could be a result of their criminality
is significant to the conclusion that (e.g., getting into fights), rather than a
brain injuries could result in criminal cause of it.
behaviour.
Neurochemical Biochemical factors are recognized by Biochemical processes may
the courts. The law states that if a predispose some individuals to offend,
mother kills her baby as a result of but it may require an
post-natal depression or breastfeeding, environmental 'trigger' to cause actual
she has a partial defence to murder. offending and is therefore, up to an
Sexual hormones , blood sugar levels individual if they choose to commit a
and substance abuse an affect mood, crime or not.
judgment and aggression which
increases changes to commit crime.
Individual theories
Topic Strengths Limitations
Learning theories -> The experiment and variables, such as The theory assumes that people's
Bandura the gender and actions of the model, behavior is completely determined by
were controlled, thus allowing greater their learning experiences and ignores
accuracy. their freedom of choice (FREE WILL). This
Bandura shows that children who also conflicts with legal views of crime,
observed aggressive behaviour being which assume that we all have free
rewarded, imitated that behaviour. will to commit crimes.
This shows the importance of role Exposing children to aggression is
models in learning deviant behaviour. bringing ethical issues and questions of
the protection of the children from both
psychological and physical harm.
Learning theories -> The fact that crime often runs Not everyone who is exposed to
2|Page
