biological theories - lombroso

Question 1

WEAKNESSES of lombroso’s theory

Answer 1

• only applies to men - disregards 50% of the population
• only studied criminals - no control group
• racial stereotyping - describes criminals as “primitive savages” = rude + unethical
• not everyone with atavistic features is a criminal and not all criminals have atavistic features
• research since lombroso has failed to show a link between facial features and criminality

Question 2

STRENGTHS of lombroso’s theory

Answer 2

• studied a large proportion of criminals (383 dead criminals and 3839 living criminals)
• first person to study crime scientifically - before, crime was seen as a religious or moral issue
• could help with modern day offender profiling

Question 3

examples of atavistic features

Answer 3

• large jaw
• high cheek bones
• large protruding ears
• more likely to have tattoos - insensitivity to pain
• cant control their impulses

Question 4

what did lombroso describe criminals as?

Answer 4

• ’throwbacks’ and have ’atavistic’ features
• criminals are a separate species in between modern and primitive humans
• criminals are individuals who had failed to evolve at the same pace as the remainder of the human race
• the physical shape of the head and face determined if someone was “born criminal”
• criminals can be identified by their physical characteristics = biological inferiority

Question 5

how many criminals did lombroso study?

Answer 5

• lombroso studied the facial and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living criminals
• he concluded that 40% of criminal acts can be accounted for by atavistic characteristics

Question 6

describe ONE PHYSIOLOGICAL THEORY of criminality (6 MARKS)

Answer 6

• Lombroso’s theory suggests that criminals are BORN BAD and can be identifiable by certain ATAVISTIC CRANIAL and FACIAL FEATURES
• Examples of these atavistic features include a large protruding jaw, high cheek bones, a low sensitivity to pain, bloodshot eyes, and long ape like arms
  Lombroso’s theory suggests that criminals are a SEPARATE SPECIES FROM MODERN DAY HUMAN, a species that FAILED TO EVOLVE AT THE SAME RATE AS THE REST OF SOCIETY
• They are a PRIMITIVE THROWBACK TO PRIMITIVE MAN hence the ATAVISTIC features
• Lombroso suggests that criminals can’t control their aggressive impulses and are more aggressive and violent
• Lombroso conducted a study where he studied the facial and cranial features of 3839 LIVING CRIMINALS and 383 DEAD CRIMINALS
• He concluded that 40% of criminals had these ATAVISTIC features

Question 7

briefly describe TWO WEAKNESSES of LOMBROSO’S THEORY (4 MARKS)

Answer 7

• Lombroso’s theory suggests that criminals are BORN BAD and can be identified by certain ATAVISTIC FACIAL and CRANIAL FEATURES
• Lombroso conducted a study to prove his theory, however, he only studied men and criminals
• Therefore, his theory doesn’t account for female crime or the high levels of crime, as well as not being as reliable as he doesn’t have a control group to compare his data on criminals to
• The biological treatment policies linked to Lombroso’s theory are also unethical as they include surgery, chemical castration and the death penalty
• The death penalty is extremely unethical as it goes against someone’s right to life and their right to avoid inhumane punishment
• The same applies to surgery and chemical castration as these treatments are irreversible and also breach a person’s right to avoid inhumane punishment