Biological explanation of offending behaviour

Question 1

What debate is underlying all the theoretical approaches to offending?

Answer 1

Nature-nurture debate

Question 2

The theories taking the biological approach study either;

Answer 2

• The physiological form of the offender = historical approach
• Underlying biological factors = genetics and neural causation.

Question 3

Physiological explanations

Answer 3

1. Lombroso’s atavistic form theory

2. Sheldon’s body-type theory

Question 4

Lombroso’s atavistic form theory

Answer 4

• Italian criminologist
• 1870
• Criminals were at a more primitive stage of evolutionary development + had different physical features = atavistic

Features;

• Narrowing sloping brow
• Prominent jaw
• High cheekbones
• Large ears
• Possibly extra nipples, fingers or toes
• Different sub-types could be identified bu their physical features
  eg/ Murderers had bloodshot eyes, curly hair and prominent jaws.
• Nature = features are heritable

Question 5

Atavistic form

Answer 5

• Specific physical features that are associated with criminal subtypes

Question 6

Lombroso’s later writings

Answer 6

• Modified his views and claimed that only a 3rd of criminals directly inherited their criminal behaviour
• Rest due to environmental factors

Question 7

Evaluation of Lombroso

Answer 7

• Sample only consisted of criminals - no comparison of non-criminals
• Features can be identified on both criminal and non-criminal
• Sample consisted of many individuals who had other psychological disorders = confusion between criminality and psychopathy?
• Debate - his definition of criminality
• Tried to move explanation away from general ‘wickedness’ = more scientific
• Many regard him as the father of modern criminology

Question 8

Goring et al (1972)

Answer 8

Compared the physical features of 3000 English criminals and non-criminals = no significant difference

Question 9

Sheldon’s body-type theory

Answer 9

His theory proposed three body types - somatotypes;

1. Endomorph
2. Ectomorph
3. Mesomorph

• Rare to be pure somatotypes
• Individuals display a combination of each personality type based on their own individual somatotype

Question 10

Endomorph

Answer 10

• Fat and soft physique

- Relaxed, sociable and loving nature

Question 11

Ectomorph

Answer 11

• Thin and fragile physique

- Solitary, introverted and self-conscious nature

Question 12

Mesomorph

Answer 12

• Muscular and hard physique

- Aggressive, callous and unfeeling = more likely to be criminally-minded.

Question 13

Sheldon (1949)

Answer 13

• Full length photos of 200 male delinquents compared to 200 male college students
• Rated on 7 point scale according to 3 body types.
  = Students has similar body types on average
  = Male criminal delinquents were significantly more mesomorphic
• Supporting Sheldon’s theory

Question 14

Criticisms of the Sheldon theory

Answer 14

Two issues;

1. Legal def of ‘delinquency’ was not used in identifying his sample group
2. Ratings may have been unreliable - although there is some research to show a link between mesomorphy and offending behaviour
   - Other psycho-social factors need to be taken into account.

eg/ muscular body in young = find early success in getting what they want if they act aggressive = learned response behaviour
- Muscular body = attractive to gang cultures

• Lacks empirical depth