FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY - Biological Explanations Flashcards
What is Lombroso’s Theory of Atavistic Form?
A Darwinist principle which believes that there are unevolved humans which have not evolved into the norms of society. They can be identified by their unevolved, or atavistic features. Apparently, 40% of criminals in prison have this appearance.
Name negative evaluation one of Lombroso’s study.
He didn’t use a control group in his study, and as a result didn’t check to see if these features existed in broader society. Goring (1913) did the same experiment with a control group and found no difference at all.
Name negative evaluation two of Lombroso’s study.
It could be argued that people with an atavistic appearance are treated in a different way to those who don’t and this treatment causes them to turn to crime in some way.
