Elizabeth Arias

Criminology SOC 230

April 30, 2020

Chapter Questions

Chapter 5

I believe there is a biological base to criminality because based on a lot of research

there has been a link between genetics, numero-transmitters, numero-biology and other socio-

biological factors. Some criminal behavior has been linked to a genetic role in human behavior.

They might have a had a family member, a parent or grand-parent who just like them engaged

in criminal behavior. There has also been a link between low levels of serotonin,

norepinephrine and dopamine that can cause a biological base in criminal behavior. Low level

of serotonin have been linked to anti-social behavior which in theory is a personality of some

criminal. Neurological damage to the brain like a person falling and hitting there head has lead

to a link in criminal behavior. Damage to the pre-frontal is thought to lead to impulsive

behavior or even becoming aggressive in a later age. Lastly other social-biological factors like

mental health, such as PTSD, that has resulted in trauma or abuse especially beginning as a

child. This can also lead to Criminal behavior.

Chapter 6

The component of personality disorder listed by Sigmund Freud are Superego, ego and

ID. The Superego is the part of the mind that acts as a critical conscience, that reflects from the

social standards that were taught by parents and others like teachers. The ID. Is the inheritable

part of the personality that was present at birth, such as lEros which is the libido, and the

aggressive instinct. Ego is more of a realistic view and mediates between instinctual desires.

Freud discusses that a person with a poorly developed superego can be led into crime. This can

be caused because they are led to fall back on theI ego which can cause them to choose a path

that can violate the law. Another way that a person can be led to a path of violence is by

inadequate sublimation. Thirdly, Freud explains that a death wish or Thanatos can lead to

criminal behavior. Such as, serial killers who send letters like the BTK killer to the police are

basically asking to get caught. Lastly neurosis can also lead to criminal behavior according to

Freud. Neurosis is a disruption of the mind that causes phobias, anxiety or abnormal behavior.

Negative Rewards are when a parent takes away something distressful from the child as

a reward for doing something they have approved of. An example of this is telling a child they

don’t have to do their chore for the day because they received a high grade in class. A negative

punishment is focused on decreasing the rate of undesired behavior by removing something

desirable from the child’s life.

Chapter 7

Cultural transmission is when delinquency is passed down successively through

generations around the same area where people currently live. This can be passed through

consecutive social communication.

Focal concern is usually a key value or concerns in a culture. This can be things as getting

into trouble or trying to be tough or strong. Characteristics as these can lead to crime because

getting into trouble or trying to be tough can lead to violence and fighting.

Innovation is the one most likely to lead to crime because it combines the means of

wanting to achieve things that are out of hand and also not having assess to what the person

wants to achieve. This can lead the person to choose paths in which there is criminal behavior

to get the things they desire.

Relative deprivation is when there is a gap between the rich in the poor who live closely

to one another. People in this situation compare themselves to the people around them and to

people the know. Low-income people can experience this in big city’s because they are around

people in high-income society who live in close neighborhoods to them.

If a person feels deprived over something two ways they can change this is by joining a

group who feels this way or they can bring this up to whom ever they think is depriving them of

what they deserve.

If a group feels deprived two ways they can participate in social movements or any

social interactions that can help change their cause.