Biological theories of criminality: physiological theories

Question 1

What is atavism?

Answer 1

The idea that criminals are ‘throwbacks’ to more primitive stage of evolution

Question 2

What is an endomorph?

Answer 2

Rounded, soft bodied, lacking muscle. Sociable, relaxed, outgoing

Question 3

What is an ectomorph?

Answer 3

Thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle. Flat chested, narrow hips and shoulders, thin face. Self conscious, emotionally restrained, thoughtful

Question 4

What is a mesomorph?

Answer 4

Muscular, hard-bodied, little fat, strong limbs, broad shoulder, narrow waist. Adventurous, sensation-seeking, assertive, domineering

Question 5

What are physiological theories?

Answer 5

These biological theories claim that the physical features of criminals differ from non-criminals

Question 6

What are biological theories?

Answer 6

Criminals are biologically different from non-criminals and this difference causes them to commit crime

Question 7

What are the key ideas of Lombroso?

Answer 7

Criminals are physically different from non-criminals

Question 8

What was Lombroso’s study?

Answer 8

Measured many criminals’ heads and faces

Question 9

What did Lombroso find?

Answer 9

Criminals more likely to have large jaws, long arms, aquiline noses

Question 10

What is atavism linking to Lombroso?

Answer 10

Criminals are throwbacks to primitive stage of evolution – pre-social, impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain

Question 11

What is further work of Lombroso?

Answer 11

Insane criminals, epileptic criminals. Criminaloids – product of environment

Question 12

What is one strength of Lombroso?

Answer 12

First person to study crime scientifically

Question 13

What is a second strength of Lombroso?

Answer 13

Shows importance of clinical and historical records of criminals

Question 14

What is a third strength of Lombroso?

Answer 14

Helps to focus on prevention not punishment

Question 15

What is one limitation of Lombroso?

Answer 15

No further evidence to link facial features and criminality

Question 16

What is a second limitation of Lombroso?

Answer 16

Did not compare with control group of non-criminals

Question 17

What is a third limitation of Lombroso?

Answer 17

Racist. Equates criminals with savages/ non-western society

Question 18

What are the key ideas of Sheldon?

Answer 18

Somatotype (body type) is related to criminality

Question 19

What was Sheldon’s study?

Answer 19

Looked at body types and compared with likelihood of criminality

Question 20

What was the findings of Sheldon?

Answer 20

Mesomorphic somatotype most likely to be criminal

Question 21

What was the reason for Mesomorphic somatotype most likely to be criminal?

Answer 21

Attracted by risk-taking and their physique and assertiveness are important assets in crime

Question 22

What is one strength of Sheldon?

Answer 22

Other studies replicate findings

Question 23

What is a second strength of Sheldon?

Answer 23

Most serious delinquents had most mesomorphic bodies

Question 24

What is one limitation of Sheldon?

Answer 24

Criminality likely to be a combination of biology and environment

Question 25

What is a second limitation of Sheldon?

Answer 25

Mesomorphic build may be result of criminality

Question 26

What is a third limitation of Sheldon

Answer 26

Social class might be true cause of offending and mesomorph

Question 27

What is a fourth limitation of Sheldon?

Answer 27

Mesomorphs more likely to be labelled