Atavistic Form

Question 1

Historical Approach

Answer 1

• Lombroso suggested criminals criminals were genetic throwbacks
• primitive sub species

Question 2

Biological approach

Answer 2

• offenders seen as lacking evolutionary development
• untamed nature makes it impossible to meet demands of society and would turn to crime
• saw offending behaviour as genetic

Question 3

Atavistic Form

Answer 3

• certain charcteristcs would make you look like an offender

- different characteristics linked to different crimes

Question 4

Cranial characteristics

Answer 4

• narrow sloping brow
• high cheekbones
• facial asymmetry

Question 5

non-cranial characteristics

Answer 5

• extra toes
• extra fingers
• extra nipples

Question 6

other characteristics

Answer 6

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

Question 7

murderer characteristics

Answer 7

• bloodshot eyes
• curly hair
• long ears

Question 8

sexual deviant characteristics

Answer 8

• glinting eyes
• swollen fleshy lips
• projecting ears

Question 9

fraudsters characteristics

Answer 9

• thin and reedy lips

Question 10

lombroso’s research

Answer 10

• examined facial and cranial features of italian convicts

- concluded 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics

Question 11

Evaluation

Answer 11

+ caused movement of criminology from moralistic to scientific

• racist - some cultures have features such as dark skin that are seen as ativistic
• contradictory evidence - 3000 offenders and non-offenders have no physical differences
• poor control - confounding variables uncontrolled
• nature vs nurture - Atavistic form is inherited but other factors can cause features