Atavisitc Approach Flashcards
what is the ativistic form of explaining criminal behaviour also known as
historical approach to offending behaviour
what did Lombroso view offenders as
genetic throwbacks
lack evolutionary development
find it impossible to adjust to demands of society so would turn to crime
why has Lombroso been criticised for demonstrating distinct racial undertones
features identified are those found in people of African descent
controversial aspect
this continues to overshadow criminology
weakness; lacks explanatory power
what contradictory research opposes Lombroso in terms of the view he had about physical and mental abnormalities among criminal classes
research concludes that there was no evidence that offenders were a distinct group with unusual facial and cranial characteristics
contradictory research questions theory
reduces validity ; lacks explanatory power
what did lombroso believe criminal sub type can be identified from
possessing physiological markers that are linked to particular types of crime - biologically determined atavistic characteristics
what are the cranial characteristics lombroso suggested
prominent jaw
high cheekbones
dark skin
facial asymmetry
what are the non physiological characteristics lombroso suggested
insensitive to pain
tattoo
unemployed
how did lombroso categorise criminals
categorised particular types of criminals in terms of their physical and facial characteristics
fraudster- thin and reedy
why is lombrosos theory a correlation
even though an offender has facial expressions lombroso suggested it doesn’t mean this is the cause of offending as facial and cranial differences may have been influenced by environmental factors such as poor diet
reduces validity of explanation
why is lombroso lack reliable scientific technique in his research
lombroso didn’t compare his criminal sample with a non-criminal control group
failed to account for important variables - criminals may have suffered psychological disorders which may have confounded the findings
reduces validity; individual differences can dictate the findings for the approach
