Biological Explanations: Atavistic Form

Question 1

What is the atavistic form

Answer 1

• biological approach to offending that attributes criminal activity to the idea that criminals are ‘genetic throwbacks’ (Lombroso) or a primitive ‘subspecies’ that cannot conform to the rules of society

Question 2

How is lombrosos theory of the atavistic form regarded

Answer 2

• best described by many as speculative and naive
• he is credited for moving criminology into a more scientific realm

Question 3

according the lombroso, how could these criminals be identified

Answer 3

• they were in possession of particular ‘physiological markers’ that were linked to certain types of crime
• e.g. narrow sloping brow, high cheekbones, facial asymmetry, dark skin
• according to lombroso: murderers may have bloodshot eyes, curly hair etc

Question 4

outline lombrosos research

Answer 4

• examined facial and cranial features of hundreds of Italian convicts, living and dead
• 383 dead criminals were examined and over 3000 living ones
• lombroso concluded 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics

Question 5

What are the 3 evaluation points for the atavistic form

Answer 5

• lombroso provided a large contribution to criminology
• underlying scientific racism
• contradictory evidence

Question 6

outline ‘lombroso provided a large contribution to criminology ‘ as a evaluation point for the atavistic form

Answer 6

• he is hailed as the ‘father of modern criminology’ (Hollin)
• credited as shifting the emphasis in crime research away from moralistic discourse + towards a more scientific and credible realm

Question 7

outline ‘underlying scientific racism ‘ as an evaluation point for the atavistic form

Answer 7

• critics, including DeLisi, have drawn attention racist undertones in lombrosos work
• many features identified as criminal features are mostly likely to be found among those of African descendant (curly hair, dark skin etc)
• his description of the atavistic being ‘uncivilised, primitive, savage’ match with his underlying racism

Question 8

outline ‘contradictory evidence’ as an evaluation point for the atavistic form

Answer 8

• similar to lombroso, Goring set out to establish whether there were any physical/mental abnormalities among the criminal population
• conducted a comparison between 3000 criminals and 3000 non criminals
• concluded there was no evidence that offenders are a distinct group with unusual facial or cranial features

Question 9

outline the ‘eugenics movement’

Answer 9

• the eugenics movement was created by Galton - who argued not everyone is born equal
• desirable human traits (intelligence , morality etc) are inherited and found in some cultural and social groups
• groups with a ‘genetic advantage’ should be allowed to breed and those without should be eliminated