Biological explanations: Atavistic form

Question 1

Atavistic form definition

Answer 1

A biological approach to offending that tributes criminal activity to the fact that offenders are genetic throwbacks or a primitive subspecies ill-suited to conforming to the rules of modern society. Such individuals are distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics.

Question 2

How did Lombroso see criminal behaviour

Answer 2

a natural tendency, rooted in the genealogy of those who engage with it.

Question 3

What are ‘atavistic’ characteristics? definition

Answer 3

mainly features of the face and head (though can include other features), that make criminals physically different from the rest of us

Question 4

Atavistic form - cranial characteristics

Answer 4

narrow, sloping brow, a strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry.

Question 5

Atavistic form - other physical markers

Answer 5

dark skin and the existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers.

Question 6

Murderers characteristics

Answer 6

bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears

Question 7

Sexual deviants characteristics

Answer 7

glinting eyes, swollen, fleshy lips and projecting ears

Question 8

Fraudsters characteristics

Answer 8

lips were thin and ‘reedy’

Question 9

Besides physical traits, what other aspects of the born criminal was suggested by Lombroso?

Answer 9

insensitivity to pain, use of criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment

Question 10

Lombroso’s research

Answer 10

• examined facial and cranial features of Italian convicts
• 383 dead criminal skulls
• 3839 living criminal skulls
  Concluded - 40% of criminal acts are not accounted for by atavistic characteristics but by people with atavistic characteristics.