3- atavistic form

Question 1

what is the historical approach to offending by Lombroso

Answer 1

• suggested that criminals were genetic throwbacks (primitive sub-species who were biologically different)
• offenders seen as lacking evolutionary development
• savage and untamed nature mean they can’t adjust to demands of civilised society and inevitably commit crimes
• saw criminal behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in the genealogy of those who do it

Question 2

what is the atavistic form

Answer 2

• criminal sub-species identified by certain physiological characteristics linked to certain crimes
• biologically determined atavistic
• cranial characteristics included narrow, sloping brow/ strong, prominent jaw/ high cheekbones/ facial asymmetry/ dark skin/ extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 3

what traits do murderers, sexual deviants and fraudsters have

Answer 3

1. murderers
   - bloodshot eyes
   - curly hair
   - long ears
2. sexual deviants
   - glinting eyess
   - swollen/fleshy lips
   - projecting ears
3. fradusters
   - thin and reedy lips

Question 4

besides physical traits, what are other characteristics of a born criminal

Answer 4

• insensitivity to pain
• use of criminal slang
• tattoos
• unemployment

Question 5

what research did Lombroso do to support his theory

Answer 5

• examined facial/cranial features of Italian convicts (living/dead) and proposed the atavistic form was associated with certain physical anomalies
• examined 383 dead and 3839 living
• concluded that 40% criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics

Question 6

positive evaluation of the atavistic form (1)

Answer 6

+ important role in shifting away from theories based on feeble-mindedness, wickedness and demonic possession (forerunner to more biological explanations)

Question 7

negative evaluation of the atavistic form (4)

Answer 7

• racist undertones in his work as many features are most likely found in people of African descent, his claim that the characteristics were uncivilised supports eugenic theory
• didn’t compare his sample to non-criminal control group and if he did, differences may have disappeared
• comparison of 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals showed there was no evidence of certain characteristics but criminals were more likely to have below average intelligence
• atavistic characteristics can be as a result of poverty and poor diet which can lead people to crime and not actually the characteristic itself