Biological & Psychological Trait Theories & Crime Typologies 118 week 3 Biological & Psychological Trait Theories & Crime Typologies

Early Biological Theories Recall Positivism Scientific method etc. Phrenology Crainometry Physiognomy

Early Psychological Theories Psychodynamic/psychoanalytic perspective Freud – personality has 3 components: Id – pleasure principle Ego – reality principle Superego – ethics principle Personality and Crime (MMPI etc) Intelligence and Crime (research?)

Rowe Genetic factors affect individual traits because they impact our central, sympathetic & parasympathetic nervous systems Focus on neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) Serotonin and testosterone When would these lead to crime? Why?

Caspi et al Biological factors in combination with the environment Specific traits linked to crime: Impulsiveness, thrill-seeking, irritability, low concern for the welfare of others Three “super traits” Constraint Negative Emotionality Positive Emotionality

Caspi et al (cont’d) Constraint: Negative Emotionality: Traditionalism, Harm Avoidance, Control Negative Emotionality: Aggression, Alienation, Stress Reduction Positive Emotionality: Achievement, Social Potency, Well-Being, Social Closeness

Other Reading… Eysenck – extraverts have chronic cortical underarousal Buikhuisen – children are especially vulnerable when they have biological AND social deficits Moffitt – developmental perspective

Other Reading … Biological influences do not occur in a vacuum Impact of environmental factors? Prevention strategies Prenatal healthcare, nutritional education, alcohol and drug counseling, home visits What next? Steps for further research?

Crime Typologies Wouldn’t it be appealing and convenient if crime typologies and offender profiles were error-proof?? They’re not… and there are problems with their application… but here’s the best we’ve got so far…..

Types of Violence Instrumental violence Expressive violence Improve financial or social position (of some benefit to the offender) – sex, money, drugs, other goods (burglary Expressive violence Vent anger or frustration, has an emotional component Which is more common? More likely? Easier to predict?

Violent Crime Typologies Homicide Multiple murders Serial murder Mass murder What about single murderers? Why no typology for them?

Serial Murder 3 typologies for Serial Murder several victims in three or more separate events over a period of weeks, months or years with periods of inactivity between killings 3 typologies for Serial Murder Holms & DeBurger: Visionary; Comfort; Hedonistic; Power-seeker Fox & Levine: Thrill-motivated; Mission-oriented; Expedience-directed Keller & Keller (Female serial killers): Black widow; Angel of death

Mass Murder Fox and Levine’s Typology: Three or more individuals killed at a single time within minutes of each other and in the same place Fox and Levine’s Typology: Revenge; Love; Profit; Terror School Shootings? What do we know?

Types of Rape Stranger rape Gang rape Serial rape Acquaintance rape Date rape Marital/spousal rape

Rape Typologies: Groth Anger Rapists Uses more force than necessary for compliance, engages in sexual acts that are particularly degrading or humiliating Power Rapists Seeks to establish power and control over his victim (force depends on the victim’s submission) Sadistic Rapists Aggression is eroticized – includes sexual and aggressive components

Rape Typologies: Knight Opportunistic, High social competence Opportunistic, Low social competence Pervasively Angry Vindictive, Low social competence Vindictive, Moderate social competence Sexual, Overt Sadistic Sexual, Muted Sadistic Sexual, Non-sadistic, high social competence Sexual, Non-sadistic, low social competence

Property Crime Typologies 18th Century Thieves: Skilled thieves Smugglers Poachers Modern Thieves: Occasional Criminals Professional Criminals Shoplifters Boosters, Heels, Snitches

Property Crime Typologies Motor Vehicle Theft: Joyriding Short-term transportation Long-term transportation Profit Commission of another crime Carjacking

Property Crime Typologies Burglary: Young novice Novice Journeyman stage Professional burglars

Property Crime Typologies Arson: Excitement motivated Revenge, spite or jealousy Vandalism or malicious mischief Crime concealment Profit, insurance fraud Intimidation, extortion, terrorism, sabotage Pyromania (psychological motivation)

Terrorism???

Next Class Prepare for debate/hypothetical Exam on February 20th in class