Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
37. The behavioral genetics approach estimates both the environmental and
genetic influences on a given ______, such as criminal behavior.
a. genotype
b. phenotype
c. prototype
d. zenotype
38. An observed manifestation of the interaction of genotypical traits with the
environment, such as height is ______.
a. genotype
b. prototype
c. phenotype
d. zenotype
39. What do proponents of biosocial explanations of criminal behavior blame for
deviant behavior?
a. genetics and environment
b. chromosomal disorders only
c. mainly child abuse and neglect
d. moral defects in the criminal
40. Proponents of the biosocial explanations of criminality contend that ______ is
the most effective way to reduce future criminality in society.
a. mandatory enrollment in kindergarten
b. maternal/infant health care
c. screening for CNS disorders in early childhood
d. testing for cytogenetic disorders in adolescence
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
True/False
1. Criminality tends to cluster in certain families; however, this tendency is not
solely the result of genetics.
2. The family studies showed that criminality in the mother (or head female
caretaker) had a much stronger influence on future criminality of the children than
did the father’s criminality.
3. Concordance is a count based on whether two people (or a twin pair) share a
certain trait (or lack of a certain trait); for our purposes, the trait is criminal
offending.
4. The highest predictability for future criminality was for adopted youths whose
biological parents and adoptive parents were not convicted criminals.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
5. Selective placement is when adoptees are placed with their biological families
so they are taken out of the home.
6. The Kallikak and Jukes family studies did not have similar findings concerning
criminality and heredity.
7. Investigations into Goddard’s research found that he altered many
photographs to make the family members appear more evil and fit into the
definition of stigmata.
8. Although the Kallikak family study provides proof that criminality is more
common in some families, subsequent studies have proven otherwise.
9. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter largely responsible for good feelings in the
brain.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
10. Otherwise known as Klinefelter’s syndrome, the XYY mutation results in
higher likelihood for homosexuality and other behaviors but is not typically linked
to criminality.
11. A high proportion of females in prison for committing violent crimes did so
while on their premenstrual cycle when they experience an influx of testosterone.
12. Doctors typically prescribe individuals diagnosed with ADHD a stimulant
because these individuals have significantly low levels of ANS arousal.
13. Some children do not feel anxiety when being physically punished (e.g.,
spanked) and are likely to have lower-than-average levels of ANS functioning
and are also likely to become chronic offenders if this disorder is not addressed.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
14. Research has consistently found both genetics and environment influence
behavior, particularly the interaction between the two.
15. For every dollar spent on maternal/infant health care, studies show that not
only will many dollars in criminal justice processing and prison time be saved, but
also many lives, due to the reduction in violence.
16. A study of male Scottish mental patients showed that they had fewer XYY
chromosomes than the general population.
17. Triple X syndrome has not been linked with criminality.
18. Damage to the right side of the temporal lobe, as opposed to the left side of
the temporal lobe, is highly associated with criminal offending.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
19. Criminal acts an individual finds morally offensive will likely be governed by
the medial frontal gyrus, whereas the crimes he or she finds less morally
offensive will be governed by the prefrontal cortex.
20. The central nervous system is mainly made up of the brain and spinal cord.
21. The central nervous system is responsible for only our involuntary physical
activities.
22. Psychopaths have faster brain waves than “normal” individuals.
23. Biosocial theories of explaining criminal behavior look to both genetics and
environment as causes.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
24. Most experts in the field of criminology contend that maternal and infant
health care during the first years of life is the most effective way to deter future
criminal behavior.
25. Women in the United States who do not receive any prenatal care have the
same risk of birth and delivery complications of women who do receive such
care.
Essay
1. What are neurotransmitters and what do they do? How are neurotransmitters
different from hormones? How can the neurotransmitter serotonin be related to
criminality?
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
2. Explain the nature versus nurture debate. Design a hypothetical study to test
these competing ideas.
3. Explain findings on diet and nutrition connections to criminality.
4. Explain findings on toxins and connections to criminality.
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
5. Of the parents, who is more likely to be a stronger influence concerning the
criminality of the children? Explain the two (2) reasons presented in the text.
Make a case for or against this finding.
6. What were the overall findings of the twin studies conducted in the mid-1900s?
Why were these findings strongly criticized?
7. What were the findings of the “twins separated at birth” studies? How was the
phenomenon found in these studies explained by researchers? What are the
criticisms presented in relation to these studies?
8. Cytogenetic studies focus specifically on what?
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
9. The effect of the XYY chromosome abnormality on criminality is more linked
with what type of crime?
10. If genetics play a major role in determining the criminality of individuals, then
what will twin studies find?
11. Explain the first major study that examined the influence of XYY factor.
12. What is the primary job of dopamine on the brain?
Schram, Introduction to Criminology 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
13. What do hormones do in the body?
14. How could the findings of cytogenetic studies be applied to criminal justice
policies?
15. Name the four (4) waves of research developed from the testing of the nature
versus nurture debate.