Biological explanations

Question 1

What did Lombroso suggest?

Answer 1

There were ‘genetic throwbacks’ which were a primitive sub species who were biologically different from non-criminals

Question 2

What is atavistic form?

Answer 2

A historical approach to offending

Question 3

What is the atavistic form theory described as in today’s society?

Answer 3

Speculative and naive

Question 4

What is Lombroso credited with from Hollin (1989)?

Answer 4

Father of criminology

Shifting the dynamic of criminology from a more moralistic perspective to a more scientific and credible realm.

Question 5

What are Atavistic characteristics?

Answer 5

Physiological markers that were linked to a particular type of crime

Question 6

What role do Atavistic characteristics play in offending behaviour?

Answer 6

Lombroso believed that they lacked evolutionary development and their savage nature meant it was difficult to adapt to a normal life in society, meaning they would inevitably turn to crime

Question 7

What are examples of some general Atavistic characteristics of the face and head?

Answer 7

Narrow sloping brow
Strong prominent jaw
High cheekbones
Facial asymmetry

Question 8

What are examples of some general Atavistic characteristics of the body?

Answer 8

Dark skin
Extra toes
Extra nipples
Extra fingers

Question 9

What are some characteristics of murderers?

Answer 9

Bloodshot eyes
curly hair
long ears

Question 10

What are some characteristics of sexual deviants?

Answer 10

Glinting eyes
Swollen fleshy lips
Projecting ears

Question 11

What are some extra traits of those with Atavistic form?

Answer 11

Unemployment
Tattoos
Insensitivity to pain
Use of criminal slang

Question 12

What was Lombroso’s supporting research?

Answer 12

4000 living and 400 dead Italian convicts to look at Atavistic characteristics
40% of criminals had Atavistic characteristics
Still not 100% concordance rate between criminality and Atavistic characteristics

Question 13

What was DeLisi’s criticism of Lombroso’s ideas?

Answer 13

He drew attention to the racial undertones, saying that many of the features were found in those of an African descent

Question 14

How did DeLisi describe Lombroso’s ideas?

Answer 14

Uncivilised
Primative
Savage

Question 15

What did Goring (1913) aim to establish?

Answer 15

If there were any physical and mental abnormalities among the criminal classes

Question 16

What did Goring (1913) find?

Answer 16

Compared 3000 criminal and 3000 non criminals
Concluded there was no evidence that offenders area a distinct group with unusual features and cranial characteristics
Found that the criminals had lower intelligence in general
Nothing to support appearance

Question 17

What was a significant issue in Lombroso’s own research?

Answer 17

He had no control group

He didn’t take into account other variables such as psychological disorders

Question 18

Even if there is a correlation between atavistic characteristics and criminality, what does this not mean?

Answer 18

The characteristics are the cause of their criminal behaviour

Question 19

What was the Eugenics movement?

Answer 19

Galton’s argument was that not all are born equal
Desirable human traits, such as intelligence, are found among some social and cultural groups more than others
Those with the genetic advantage should be allowed to breed whilst others should be elimintated