forensic psychology - atavistic form Flashcards

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1
Q

define the atavistic form

A

Atavistic form is a biological approach to explaining offending. criminal activity -> to a lack of evolutionary development.

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2
Q

what does lombroso (1876) suggest ?

A

suggests that criminality is inherited and that someone “born criminal”’ could be identified by the way they look.

distinct biological class of people  that are 'throwbacks' -> prone to criminality. 
biological characteristics from early human development -> manifested into criminality
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3
Q

what did lombroso do in terms of research and what did he find

A

study of 383 dead Italian criminals and 3839 living ones he found 40% of them had atavistic characteristics

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4
Q

what are some atavistic characteristics

A

large jaw, forward projection of jaw, low sloping foreheads, high cheekbones, flattened or upturned nose, handle-shaped etc
some are specific to particular crimes committed by offender
eg sexual deviants -> fleshy lips

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5
Q

what is a strength of atavistic form (contribution to criiminology)

A

lombroso and his theory of the atavistic form has made major contributions to science of criminology

eg - led the shift from emphasis on moralistic discourse towards more scientific + credible perspective (evolutionary influences + genetics)

started beginning of criminal profiling
hailed father of modern criminology

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6
Q

what is a limitation of the atavistic form (racism)

A

has distinct racist undertones by critics

eg features Lombroso identifies to be criminal
curly hair, dark skin -> found among people of African descent

as result this could be seen as socially sensitive
creates an controversial + uncomfortable perspective to profiling

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6
Q

what is a limitation of the atavistic form (racism)

A

has distinct racist undertones by critics

eg features Lombroso identifies to be criminal
curly hair, dark skin -> found among people of African descent

as result this could be seen as socially sensitive
creates an controversial + uncomfortable perspective to profiling

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7
Q

what is another limitation to the atavistic approach (evidence against)

A

there is contradictory evidence to lombroso

eg Goring (1913) conducted comparison between 3000 criminals + 3000 non criminals 
no evidence of offenders having distinct facial and cranial features 

this questions key element of theory - criminals are different in terms of appearance
suggest - not accurate + shouldn’t be used

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8
Q

what is another limitation of atavistic form

A
  • just because link between atavistic elements in facial appearance and criminals
  • doesn’t mean facial differences causes offending
  • appearance can be influenced by poverty, poor diet etc.
  • reduced effectiveness for evolutionary explanation
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