Atavistic form - Lombroso

Question 1

what is the research behind the theory

Answer 1

• Lombroso (1876) meticulously examined the facial and cranial features of hundreds of Italian convicts, both living and dead.
• In total he analyses 383 dead criminals and 3839 live ones.
• He proposed that 40% of all criminal acts can be accounted for by atavistic features.
• Lombroso argued that criminals are not fully evolved- they are genetic throwbacks to a previous evolutionary state - a primitive “sub-species” (ATAVISM).
• He argued that criminals’ savage and untamed nature meant that they would not be able to follow the social norms/laws of a civilised society and would therefore inevitably turn to a life of crime.

Question 2

What were the physical traits Lombroso argued that criminals will possess

Answer 2

• large protruding jaws
• low sloping foreheads
• high cheekbones
• flattened noses
• facial asymmetry
• dark skin
• possible existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers.

Question 3

what were the categories and characteristics for the type of criminal

Answer 3

Murderers:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Curly hair
- Long ears

Sexual Deviants:
- Glinting eyes
- Swollen, fleshy lips
- Projecting ears

Fraudsters:
- Thin and reedy lips

Question 4

what is the +ve AO3 point for the atavistic form?

Answer 4

Contribution to Criminology:
- Lombroso has been labelled the “father of modern criminology”
- He took the emphasis away from judging criminals as wicked and deviant and started hypothesising about possible genetic and evolutionary processes that cause criminality.
- He has even been credited for starting modern offender profiling through linking physical features to types of criminal

Question 5

what are the -ve AO3 points for the atavistic form?

Answer 5

• scientific racism/eugenics
• contradictory evidence
• alternative explanation (Kaplan)
• interactionist approach

Question 6

expand on the -ve AO3 point: scientific racism/eugenics

Answer 6

• Many critics have pointed out how racist Lombroso’s theory is.
• Many of the features he draws out such as dark skin, curly hair, bigger lips are simply characteristics linked more to African descent than caucasian descent.
• His description of atavistic form linked to “uncivilised, primitive” behaviour can be linked to the eugenics movement at that point in history
• This movement is said to have started with a cousin of Charles Darwin who put forward the idea that not all people in society are born equal:
• Only some cultural groups are found to possess desirable traits such as intelligence, civility and morality, and these groups with a genetic advantage should be allowed to breed for the good of humanity.

Question 7

expand on the -ve AO3 point: contradictory evidence

Answer 7

• Goring (1913) like Lombroso, carried out an analysis of 3000 criminals and 3000 non criminals and found no evidence that criminals possess certain facial/cranial characteristics (though he did propose a link between low intelligence and criminality).
• This research, given it is close on the historical timeline, contradicts Lombroso’s theory that physical traits can be linked to criminality.
• Furthermore, Goring’s research, given that he used a control group, is far more scientific than Lombroso’s and therefore more credible.
• Therefore, it may be more likely that Lombroso’s findings on physical features are coincidental and can be found amongst any people group of that size.

Question 8

expand on the -ve AO3 point: alternative explanation (Kaplan)

Answer 8

Kaplan’s (1980) “self-derogation” theory argues that if individuals experience persistently poor interactions with others (in this case due to the way they look), they will develop lower self-esteem and increased frustration with others, making them more likely to commit criminal behaviour.

Question 9

expand on the -ve AO3 point: interactionist approach

Answer 9

• This is as an interactionist approach to understanding the causes of behaviour
• It argues there is an interaction between the biological aspects of the offender’s appearance and the way that such individuals might be treated
• Lombroso’s theory suggests that criminality is biological, but the interactionist approach suggests that criminality is caused by both nature and nurture.