Biological Considerations
Which part of the brain is commonly associated with impulse control and decision-making?
Frontal lobe
Which part of Kohlberg's moral development theory focuses on avoiding punishment?
Pre-conventional, Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment)
Growing up in a family where crime is normalised is an example of what type of influence?
A social influence
What is Mens Rea?
"guilty mind" - the intention to commit a crime.
In Freud's Psychoanalytic theory, what are the 3 components to our personality?
Id, Ego, and Superego
Name one genetic explanation for criminal behaviour.
Warrior gene, inherited aggression, XYY Karyotype syndrome.
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?
A childhood disorder with anger, defiance, and hostility towards authority.
What does peer pressure from friends represent in the biopsychosocial model?
A social factor (peer influence).
What is the difference between a summary offence and an indictable offence?
Summary: less serious, magistrate. Indictable: Serious, trial, district/supreme court, high chance of a jury
Name two of the Big Five personality traits.
Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.
What chemical is most often linked with aggression?
Testosterone
CD is more severe and involves violating others' rights (e.g., aggression, destruction.
Explain how socioeconomic status can increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour.
Low SES creates stress, lack of opportunities, or exposure to crime, increasing likelihood.
Give an example of a minor indictable offence.
Theft, minor assault, property damage, low level assault.
Which of the Dark Triad traits is most linked to lack of empathy?
Psychopathy
How might damage to the amygdala influence criminal behaviour?
It can reduce fear responses and increase aggression, making someone more likely to act violently without considering consequences.
A person who commits a crime due to thrill-seeking might be showing what psychological trait?
Sensation seeking, impulsivity.
Give one strength and one limitation of considering social influences when explaining criminal behaviour.
considers environment. Limitation: ignores biological/psychological causes.
In a courtroom, what is the purpose of proving Actus Reus?
To prove the accused committed the act (guilty act)
Explain how the Big Five trait of Conscientiousness might protect against criminal behaviour?
Why might identical twin studies be useful for understanding criminal behaviour, and what limitation do they have?
Identical twins share 100% of their genes, so if both engage in crime it suggests a genetic influence. Limitation = twins also often share the same environment, making it hard to separate nature from nurture.
Explain how Kohlberg’s theory could be applied to explain why a criminal might commit a major offence. At a low moral stage, crime may occur for self-interest or avoiding punishment.
At a low moral stage, crime may occur for self-interest or avoiding punishment.
How can gang membership influence criminal behaviour from a social perspective?
Gangs provide social acceptance and identity, but they also normalise crime, encourage peer pressure, and reward criminal acts, increasing the likelihood of offending.
Apply Actus Reus and Mens Rea: A man accidentally knocks someone over while running to catch a bus. Is this a crime? Why or why not?
Not a crime. No Meas Rea (intention), only Actus Reus (guilty act).
Apply personality: A person is manipulative, charming, and shows no guilt. Which Dark Triad traits do they most likely have?
Psychopathy (no guilt) + machiavellianism (manipulative)