SOC 2010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Xyy Syndrome, Y Chromosome, Social Learning Theory

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2010
• Professor: Ryan Broll

Document Summary

Emphasis on the application of the scienti c method to the study of human behaviour. Darwin"s on the origin of species (1859) -well known example of early positivist thinking that strongly in uenced the development of criminological theorizing. Those who display primitive, ape-like characteristics are biologically predisposed to crime atavists: physical characteristics; Prison would contribute to these characteristics (high cheekbones because not a lot of eating in prison) Mesomorph: hard, muscular body, aggressive personality (more likely to engage in criminal behaviour) Possession of an extra y chromosome believed to be cause of uncontrollable aggressiveness in super males . Could we test for having xyy syndrome and looking at the characteristics of one, can we incarcerate people before a crime happens. Can we arrest people before a crime based on their biological makeup. Modern theories generally contend that criminals are made not born, Ego: reality principle, keeps id urges in check. Superego: social conscience/moral code, comes from the environment around us.