Criminology Unit 2 Questions

What personality types did Hans J. Eysenck believe were related to crime? Describe each personality type and discuss why Eysenck believed that these types were associated with crime.

Eysenck believed that people who are extroverts, psychoticism, or neuroticism where most related to crime. An person with an extrovert personality is outgoing, sociable, dominant, and have high levels of energy. A person with a psychotic personality is antisocial and has a lack of empathy. A person with a neurotic personality is moody, shy, and irrational. Eysenck believed that these types of personality are most associated with crime because individuals who had them were harder to train and socialize, and they responded more quickly to stimuli. He thought that the effects of these traits made it harder for individuals to develop a full conscience and that the individual would be more likely to retain childlike behaviors.

Which theory explained in the lesson do you think best explains why crime happens? Why do you think that this theory is the best?

I think that the modeling theory best describes why crime happens. I think that this is the best theory because it seems entirely logical that people will have similar behaviors to others around them, including parents and friends. We also copy the behavior of people who are more powerful and wealthier than ourselves because we wish to be like them in some aspects.

What is the M'Naughten Rule? How did this rule come into existence?

One of the first instances when the "not guilty by reason of insanity" defense was used in Western culture was the case of Daniel M'Naughten. The defendant was on trial for killing the Secretary to the Prime Minister in 1843. His defense argued that M'Naughten suffered from delusions that the political party was persecuting him. The judge's ruling led to what is known as the M'Naughten Rule, which says that a person can't be held responsible for a crime if they didn't know what they were doing at the time of the crime and didn't know what they were doing was wrong.

How does self-control theory explain crime?

Scholars have proposed that individuals with low self-control are impulsive and that they seek the immediate fulfillment of their wants and urges. Harold G. Grasmick, for example, suggested that people with low self-control are drawn to risk-taking behaviors that are exciting and dangerous. So, people who have low self-control are more likely to commit crimes because they need to fulfill their urges.

What are the four body types in William H. Sheldon's somatotyping? Describe each body type and identify which one Sheldon believed was related to delinquency and crime.

The four body types in WIlliam H. Sheldon's somatotyping are endomorphs, mesomorphs, ectomorphs, and balanced bodies. Endomorphs are individuals who are soft and round, with a large digestive area. In other words, these individuals have a large stomach and are overweight. Mesomorphs are individuals who are muscular and athletic. These individuals may have a larger bone structure or muscle mass. Ectomorphs are individuals who are thin and frail. Balanced individuals are those who are not overweight, too muscular, or too thin. According to Sheldon, mesomorphs are the most likely to be delinquents.

How does the psychoanalytic theory from Freud explain crime?

From the perspective of Freud's theories on personality, crime is viewed as a person either not adapting well or having some deficiency in his or her personality. According to Freud's theory, one reason why crime may occur is if the superego is not developed fully. In this case, the person would be more likely to act on their urges and desires without considering the consequences and the morality of the action. Also, according to the psychoanalytic theory, we are all potential criminals, but the id keeps us from acting on urges.

Modeling theory suggests that we learn aggressive and violent behavior. Do you think that violence in the media (including movies, television, and video games) has any effect on criminal behavior? Why or why not? Do you think that anything should be done to censor violence in the media?

I do not think that violence in the media has any effect on criminal behavior because I myself have played violent video games and watched television and movies from a very young age and I am not violent or wish to commit homicide at any point in my life. I think that social media outlets should try to do more to censor actual violence against people vs. people, but violent cartoons or video games should not be censored.

Eysenck argues that certain personality types are more likely to engage in criminal behavior. Do you think that our personalities contribute to whether we commit crimes or not? Why or why not?

I do think that our personality types contribute to whether we commit crimes or not. I think that people who are extroverts, psychotic, or neurotic are harder to socialize and have a harder time fully developing their consciences, making them more susceptible to becoming a criminal.

Do you think individuals accused of crimes should be able to use an insanity defense? Why or why not?

I think that individuals accused of crimes should be able to use insanity as a defense if they have been evaluated by a doctor and it has been medically proven that they are insane. I think that this should be the case because if someone has extreme mental issues and they committed a crime, they should be admitted into a mental health facility instead of being put in jail where they can do more harm to other people.

Do you think that the weather affects crime? Why or why not? Explain some of the ways that scholars think weather and/or the time of day affect criminal behavior.

I think that the weather can affect crime because changes in the barometric pressure may also be associated with changes in blood flow in the brain, which may increase impulsive behavior. Scholars think that extreme cold and hot temperatures keep people away from each other (we stay home in the heat for the air conditioning, for example) and that this creates less opportunity for crimes like assaults. Also, the time of day also affects the opportunity for crime, as people are often in situations riper for crimes like assaults during the evening hours and on weekends.