AC 2.1 Flashcards
Describe biological theories of criminality
what does physiological mean?
appearance
what are biochemical explanations about?
hormones
what is Lombroso’s theory?
measured and recorded details of heads and faces of 383 dead and 3839 alive criminals. believed certain facial features were linked with certain criminals
what did Lombroso believe murders had?
strong prominent jaw
high cheekbones
dark skin
extra nipples, toes or fingers
what did Lombroso believe murderers had?
bloodshot eyes
curly hair
long ears
what did Lombroso believe sexual deviants had?
glinting eyes
swollen fleshy lips
what were some non physical traits Lombroso believed criminals had?
unemployment
tattoos
use of criminal slang
What else did Lombroso believe about criminals?
criminals are atavistic - a sub species that can,t conform to rules of society, and were throwbacks to the primitive stage of development. they are unable to control their reduced sense of pain which is why they have tattoos.
what did William Sheldon believe about criminality?
certain body types or somotypes are linked to criminal behaviour, he studied 4000 photos of scantily clad men, studied photos of college students on a scale of 1-7 of mesomorphness and delinquents had high mesomorph ratings
what are the 3 body types Sheldon identified?
ectomorph- thin, fragile, self conscious, narrow hips
endomorph- rounded, lacks muscle, relaxed, outgoing
mesomorph-muscular, broad shoulders, adventurous, sensation seeking
what did Sheldon believe about mesomorphs?
more likely to engage in criminal activity because they are attracted to the risk taking and their physique and assertiveness can be important assets in crime
what are the genetic twin studies?
Christiansen studied twin pairs in Denmark. found 52% chance of other twin being criminal if they were identical twins. only 22% chance if twins are non identical. because twins share exactly same genes if they are identical as they come from the same egg
