Lesson 3: Atavistic Form

Question 1

What was the historical approach to offending?

Answer 1

• Lombroso write a book suggesting criminals were genetic throwbacks
• A primitive subspecies who were biologically different from non-criminals
• Offenders were seen as lacking evolutionary development
• Their savage and untamed nature meant they could not adjust to demands of civilised society and would turn to crime
• He saw it as a natural tendancy

Question 2

How did Lombroso say offenders could be identified?

Answer 2

• Set of particular physiological characteristics linked to types of crime
• Atavistic features, of the face and head indicating criminals are physically different to us

Question 3

What did the atavistic form include?

Answer 3

• Narrow sloping brow
• Strong prominent jaw
• High Cheekbones
• Facial asymmetry
• Dark skin
• Extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 4

How were murders and fraudsters described as?

Answer 4

• M: Bloodshot eyes, curly hair, long ears
• Sexual deviants: Glinting eyes, swollen lips, projecting ears
• Fraudsters: thin lips

Question 5

What other characteristics did Lombroso say they had?

Answer 5

• Insensitivity to pain
• Use of criminal slang
• Tattoos
• Unemployment

Question 6

What did Lombroso use as evidence?

Answer 6

• Examined the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts living and dead
• Atavistic form was associated with physical anomalies
• 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones and 40% could be accounted for by the subculture

Question 7

Evaluations (+)

Answer 7

• Shifts away from theories on feeble mindedness, wickedness and demonic possession. Forerunner to biological explanations

Question 8

Evaluation (-)

Answer 8

• Distinct racist overtones with the features he described. His claim that characteristics were uncivilised, savage and primitive supported the eugenic philosophy
• Lombroso did not have a control group, differences reported would have disappeared
• Even if criminals have the characteristics, it does not mean it causes criminal behaviour. Facial features can be influenced by poverty and poor diet
• Goring conducted a comparison of 3000 criminals and 3000 non criminals and found no evidence that offenders had particular features. He concluded they may have a below average intelligence