Forensic Psychology : L3 Atavistic Form Flashcards
1
Q
Historical Approach to Offending
A
- Lombroso suggested that criminals lacked evolutionary development, biologically different etc.
- Criminals seen as a subspecies to ‘normal humans’
- Saw criminal behaviour as a natural tendency, rooted in genealogy
2
Q
What is Atavistic Form?
A
- Lombroso argued that the criminal sub-species could be identified be a set of particular psychological characteristics linked to the type of crime
- These were biologically determined atavistic (reversion to something ancestral) characteristics, mainly features of the face and head
- Indicates criminals are physically different
3
Q
Criminal traits by Lombroso
A
- Cranial : prominent jaw, high cheekbones, and facial asymmetry
- Dark skin and extra toes, nipples or fingers
- Unemployment, tattoos, insensitivity to pain
4
Q
Lombroso study
A
- Examined facial and cranial features of Italian convicts, both dead and alive
- Proposed that the atavistic form was associated with a number of physical anomalies
- Examined 383 dead and 3839 living, concluding that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by the criminal subspecies
5
Q
(+) Evaluation
A
- Had an important role in the shift away from theories based on wickedness and demonic possession. It was the forerunner to more biological explanations
5
Q
(-) Evaluation
A
- Goring (1913) conducted a comparison between 3000 criminals and 3000 non criminals and found no evidence of offenders having particular facial or cranial characteristics. He did find that criminals are more likely to have below average intelligence.
- Criticised for having racial undertones in Lombroso’s work. Many features described as atavistic are most likely found in people of African descent.
- Lombroso did not compare his criminal sample to a non-criminal control group
- Even if criminals have atavistic characteristics this does not mean that these characteristics cause criminal behaviour. Facial and cranial features can be influenced by diet and poverty.
