AC2.1

Question 1

definition of physiological theories

Answer 1

Focusing on criminal’s physical characteristics

Question 2

Genetic theories

Answer 2

criminality that is usually inherited

Question 3

Brain injuries and disorders

Answer 3

What causes people to offend

Question 4

Name 2 physiological theories

Answer 4

Lombroso & sheldon

Question 5

what was lombroso’s theory?

Answer 5

• he believed that criminals were physically different to non criminals
• he believed that criminality is heritable and criminals had atavistic features

Question 6

What is atavism?

Answer 6

• throwback to an earlier primitive stage of evolution
• they were pre social and unable to control impulse , reduced sensitivity to pain
• may be why some criminals have tattoos

Question 7

What are atavistic characteristics?

Answer 7

• sloping forehead , high cheekbones , prominent jaw & etc

Murders - bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long hair

Sexual deviance - fleshy lips & glinting eye swollen

Fraudsters - thin & reedy lips

Other non- physical traits - unemployment, tattoos and use of criminals slang

Question 8

How did lombroso come to this conclusion?

Answer 8

• examined skulls of 383 dead criminals and 3899 living ones
• concluded 40% of criminals acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics

Question 9

What is Sheldon’s theory?

Answer 9

• he believed people could be classified into correspond with 3 different personality types
• which were endomorphs , mesomorphs and ectomorphs
• he focused on certain body types (somatotypes) as being linked to
• he related physique to characteristics by drawing it

Question 10

What is a endomorph ?

Answer 10

Endomorphs are fat & soft they tend to be sociable and relaxed , less likely to be criminal

John Wayne gacy contradicts this theory as he has all these personalities & the physique but ended up being a mass murderer

Question 11

What is a mesomorph?

Answer 11

• a mesomorph is muscular and hard tend to be aggressive and adventurous
• mesomorph are more likely to be involved in criminal behaviour

Question 12

What’s a Ectomorphic?

Answer 12

• an ectomorphic is thrum and fragile and are introverted and restrained

Jeffery dahmer perfectly fits this description and turned to be a serial killer

Question 13

What are the strengths of lombroso?

Answer 13

• scientific measurement explaining crime
• highlighted the importance of examining clinical & historical records
• provides a viewpoint towards how to prevent crime

Question 14

Weakness of lombroso?

Answer 14

• research since has failed to show a link between facial features and criminality
• raises issues with the methodology of the research as control groups weren’t used

Question 15

Strengths of sheldon

Answer 15

• has been supported by research found that 60% of prisoners were mesomorphic
• glueck and glueck (1950)
• Sheldon’s theory can be applied to the mot serious criminals

Question 16

Weakness of Sheldon’s theory

Answer 16

— ignores social class with crime and body build (working class - manual work)
— fails to explain how endless and e to can also commit crime ( what about crimes other than violence)

Question 17

Gen