Biological Explanations: Atavistic Form Flashcards
Who did Lombroso believe criminals were?
Individuals who has failed to evolve at the same pace as the remainder of the human race
What is the atavistic form?
Criminals could be identified by their physical characteristics which indicated their biological inferiority
What determined the ‘born criminal’?
The physical shape of the head and face
What did Lombroso do?
Compared Italian prisoners to soldiers and found that there was a number of ‘physical defects’ that he beloved were 18 distinguishing features of criminality
What are some features of criminality?
- Large jaw
- High cheekbones
- Flattended or upturned nose
- Large chin
- Hard shifty eyes
- Scanty beard or baldness
- Long arms
What did Lombroso suggest?
The atavistic form was inherited and then interacted with the persons physical and social environment
What are the 3 types of criminal?
- Born criminals
- Insane criminals
- Criminaloids
What are born criminals?
Atavistic throwback, identifiable by their primitive experience
What are insane criminals?
Suffering from mental illness
What are criminaloids?
Criminals who were predisposed towards crime under the right environment
What did Sheldon believe?
People could be classified into 3 body shapes, which correspond with 3 different personality types
What are the 3 body shapes?
- Endomorphic
- Ectomorphic
- Mesomorphic
What is endomorphic?
Fat and soft; tend to be sociable and relaxed, love comfort, food, affection and are even tempered and easy to get along with (non-deviant)
What is ectomorphic?
Thin and fragile, introverted and restrained, self conscious and afraid of people
What is mesomorphic?
Muscular and hard, tend to be agressive and adventurous, seek vigorous physical activity, ruthless in relationships with other (most likely to offend)
