Biological Explanations

Question 1

Atavistic Form

Answer 1

Lombroso argued that criminals were genetic throwbacks, meaning that they were more primitive than non-offenders, and were unsuited to living in civilised society. They would therefore best be seen as a ‘sub-species’ of humanity. These ideas helped to move explanations for criminal behaviour towards a more scientific realm, but seem speculative by modern standards.

Question 2

Atavistic characteristics

Answer 2

Narrow, sloping brow
Prominent jaw
High cheekbones
Facial asymmetry
Dark skin

Murderer -bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears.
Fraudsters - thin lips.

Lombroso studied 400 dead 4000 living criminals in Italy
Found 40% of all criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics.