Question 1

Biosocial theories support the ideology that crime is a function of:

Accepted Answer

A)   Nature only
B)   Nurture only
C)   Nature and nurture
D)   Environment C

Question 2

Monoamine oxidase (MAOA) is known as the criminal gene.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

The theory related to XYY chromosomes among males supports the belief that:

Accepted Answer

A)   An extra "Y" chromosome increases criminality among males
B)   An extra "Y" chromosome decreases criminality among males
C)   An extra "Y" chromosome has no effect on crime among males
D)   None of the above A

Question 4

Sheldon identified three body types among criminals: endomorphic, mesomorphic, and ectomorphic. What are the characteristics of each body type? Which one was believed to be more prevalent among criminals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sheldon identified three body types among criminals:...

Question 5

Many theories have policy implications. One biology based policy is chemical castration to reduce hormone levels. This type of policy would be applicable for what type of criminal behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)   Larceny
B)   Sex offenders
C)   Kidnapping
D)   Homicide

Question 6

Lombroso identified three major types of criminals. Name these criminal types, describe their purported features, and how they contributed to criminal behavior. What led to the demise of Lombroso's categorization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lombroso identified three major types of criminals....

Question 7

How can genetic explanations of crime add to the already vast field of criminological theory? What do the more contemporary studies contribute beyond what we already know from more established theories such as classical deterrence?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can genetic explanations of crime add...

Question 8

One explanation of crime discussed in the readings examines the relationship between physical attributes and crime. This theory suggests that criminals are more likely to have the following features: long arms, wrinkles, protruding lips, extra fingers/toes and excessive hair. This theory was the put forth by:

Accepted Answer

A)   Darwin
B)   Lombroso
C)   Goring
D)   Gall

Question 9

What policies could be enacted based on results from biological explanations of crime? Which biological factors are dynamic and could be altered using ethical policies; which biological factors are less amenable to change or intervention?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What policies could be enacted based on...

Question 10

Castration is effective to reduce all violent crimes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

How can biological factors be used to explain changes in crime rates in the United States? What other factors may also contribute to changes in crime rates? Which is the most probable explanation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can biological factors be used to...

Question 12

What are some of the main barriers to testing biological explanations of crime? Be sure to include ethical and logistic concerns.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some of the main barriers...

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a common problem shared by early biological positivistic theories?

Accepted Answer

A)   They suggest that one can genetically inherit a trait or propensity that is socially defined and culturally relative
B)   Most of their analyses are plagued by weak operationalization of key concepts such as "feebleminded," "inferior," and "crime"
C)   Many of these studies are based on large, unbiased samples
D)   Not all biological differences are inherited; many may be due to prenatal environment, injury, and inadequate diet

Question 14

Which is NOT a methodological limitation of adoption studies?

Accepted Answer

A)   Some children are adopted after spending time with their biological parents
B)   It is difficult to separate environmental from genetic influences
C)   Adoptive parents are not representative of the population
D)   Birth mothers cannot influence the child

Question 15

Biosocial theories support an interaction between biological and social factors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Historic biological explanations of crime included physical features. Why did these explanations fall out of favor? What biological explanations replaced them and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Historic biological explanations of crime included physical...

Question 17

One method of examining biological trait theories of crime is to examine twins. Such studies, however, suffer from the following limitation(s):

Accepted Answer

A)   Inability to control for biological determinants of behavior
B)   Large sample sizes
C)   Assumption of environmental equality
D)   There are not enough twins

Question 18

Design a study to test the biological versus environmental explanations of criminal behavior. Who would be in the sample? How would they be selected? What type of data/information would you want to collect and analyze?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Design a study to test the biological...

Question 19

Twin studies aid the understanding of biological versus environmental theories of criminal behavior.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

What are the major considerations in testing biological explanations of crime? What is necessary for a full biological explanation of crime?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the major considerations in testing...

Exam 4: Biological Factors and Criminal Behavior

Biosocial theories support the ideology that crime is a function of:

Monoamine oxidase (MAOA) is known as the criminal gene.

The theory related to XYY chromosomes among males supports the belief that:

Sheldon identified three body types among criminals: endomorphic, mesomorphic, and ectomorphic. What are the characteristics of each body type? Which one was believed to be more prevalent among criminals?

Many theories have policy implications. One biology based policy is chemical castration to reduce hormone levels. This type of policy would be applicable for what type of criminal behavior?

Lombroso identified three major types of criminals. Name these criminal types, describe their purported features, and how they contributed to criminal behavior. What led to the demise of Lombroso's categorization?

How can genetic explanations of crime add to the already vast field of criminological theory? What do the more contemporary studies contribute beyond what we already know from more established theories such as classical deterrence?

What policies could be enacted based on results from biological explanations of crime? Which biological factors are dynamic and could be altered using ethical policies; which biological factors are less amenable to change or intervention?

Castration is effective to reduce all violent crimes.

How can biological factors be used to explain changes in crime rates in the United States? What other factors may also contribute to changes in crime rates? Which is the most probable explanation?

What are some of the main barriers to testing biological explanations of crime? Be sure to include ethical and logistic concerns.

Which of the following is NOT a common problem shared by early biological positivistic theories?

Which is NOT a methodological limitation of adoption studies?

Biosocial theories support an interaction between biological and social factors.

Historic biological explanations of crime included physical features. Why did these explanations fall out of favor? What biological explanations replaced them and why?

One method of examining biological trait theories of crime is to examine twins. Such studies, however, suffer from the following limitation(s) :

Design a study to test the biological versus environmental explanations of criminal behavior. Who would be in the sample? How would they be selected? What type of data/information would you want to collect and analyze?

Twin studies aid the understanding of biological versus environmental theories of criminal behavior.

What are the major considerations in testing biological explanations of crime? What is necessary for a full biological explanation of crime?