Biological Explanation: A Historial Approach Flashcards
What did Lombroso suggest and when?
Lombroso in 1875 suggested that criminals were ‘genetic throwbacks’.
What would the atavistic form be best described as?
Speculative and naive.
How did Lombroso perceive offenders?
Offenders were lacking evolutionary development, their savage and untamed nature meant that they would find it impossible to adjust to the demands of civilised society and would inevitably turn to crime.
What was Lombroso’s new perspective about offending?
Offending behaviour was innate and therefore an offender was not to blame for his actions.
What are the cranial characteristics of the atavistic form?
-Narrow, sloping brow
-A strong prominent jaw
-High cheekbones
-Facial asymmetry
What are other physical characteristics of the atavistic form?
-Dark skin
-Existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers.
What were the other aspects of the atavistic form beside the physical ones?
-Insensitivity to pain.
-Use of slang.
-Tattoos.
-Unemployment.
What were the characteristics of murderers? (Lombroso)
-Bloodshot eyes.
-Curly hair.
-Long ears.
What were the characteristics of sexual deviants? (Lombroso)
-Glinting eyes.
-Swollen. fleshy lips.
-Projecting ears.
What were the lips like of fraudsters? (Lombroso)
Thin and ‘reedy’.
Who were the participants in Lombroso’s research about the atavistic form?
Hundreds of Italian convicts. (Both living and dead).
How may skulls did Lombroso examine?
383 dead convicts.
How many living skulls did Lombroso examine?
3839.
What were the results of Lombroso’s atavistic form research?
40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics.
