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Summary AC 2.1 Biological theories of crime + AC 3.2
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Summary of all biological theories of crime and slight evaluation of each
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AC 2.1 Biological theories Describe theories of crimeGenetic theories
Genetic theories as an explanation for criminal behaviour emerged with modern
criminology in the 1700s. In recent times, there has been an increase in research
on the genetics of behaviour, including anti-social behaviour.
XYY theory
Also known as the ‘Super Male Syndrome’, this theory suggests that some crimes
may be attributable to a chromosomal abnormality. Chromosomes are structures
in cell nuclei and humans usually have 46 chromosomes – 44 of which determine
the shape and constitution of our body, and the remaining 2 determine our sex.
Sex is determined by the pattern of a person’s sex chromosomes: XX in a woman,
XY in a man. It is a Y chromosome that makes a person male. There are a variety
of chromosome abnormalities, some of which involve the presence of extra
chromosomes, one such condition, known as ‘XYY’, involves the presence of an
extra Y chromosome.
XYY men, sometimes called ‘super males’, have been of interest to criminologists
because of the suggestion that they are more aggressive and more inclined to be
violent than XY males.
Jacob et al. (1965) suggested that men with the XYY chromosome were more
aggressive than normal XY men. There are also some studies that suggest XYY are
over-represented in prisons and one per 1,000 in the general population .
The serial killer John Wayne Gacy is said to have XYY syndrome. He sexually assaulted,
tortured and killed at least 33 men in the USA.
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, AC 2.1 Biological theories Describe theories of crime
3.2 Strength Weakness
Jacob found a significant association between There is no proof that the syndrome is the
XYY syndrome and inmates for violent reason of violent behaviour.
behaviour. XYY males physically meet the description of
There are also multiple researchers that link the ‘typical offender’ which results in
to this syndrome such as Price and Whatmore stricter sentences. Therefore, a reason for
who found links of the syndrome with the over-representation of XYY males in
property crime. prison.
XYY males often have low intelligence which
results to them getting caught.
The syndrome is rare, so it cannot give much
explanation for crime.
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