Atavistic Form Flashcards
Historical Approach
criminals were ‘genetic throwbacks’
biologically primitive/ diff from everyone else
Biological Approach
cause they are bio primitive they can’t adjust to society and turn to crime
Bio Primitive: crime comes naturally as they genetic make up make them more likely to offend
- take away resp as are genetically predisposed to crime
Lombroso
examined 383 dead criminals skulls and 3839 living criminals
- 40% of crimes committed by those with AF
P had physiological makers that show if they are criminals (head, face)
type of crime depends on type of markers
Examples of Atavistic Form
Cranial Characteristics
- facial asymmetry
- high cheekbones
Other Physical Markers
- dark skin
- extra toes, fingers, nipples
Other Traits
- high pain tolerance
Offender Types
Lambroso
- categorise types if crimes, offenders were likely to commit based on facial char
Murderers: bloodshot eyes, curly hair
Sexual Deviants: fleshy lips, projecting ears
Fraudsters: thin, reedy lips
Lombroso’s Legacy
changed the face of crimes
Hollin
- L coined the term ‘criminology’ and turned it into a more moral practice
- not the offender’s fault as they are bio predisposed to crime
A more scientific approach compared to earlier ones (demonic possession)
VS Lombroso’s Legacy
DeLisi
- racist work and neg stereotyped black P
- dark skin, curly hair = common traits in minorities
subjective work = untrue claims that can have big consequences (eugenic)
Contradictory Evidence
evidence contradicts link between atavism and crimeGoring- establish if there is anything phy atypical about offenders- 3000 offenders VS 3000 nonno evidence that offenders are a distinct group with unusual char
challenges the idea that offenders are phy diff
- L’s work is unreliable
Poor Control
L’s methods and variables were poorly controlled
didn’t compare his offender sample with CG
- can’t control the confounding variables, so they didn’t show an alt exp for common char
not scientific = not credible
