Lesson 3 - atavistic form

Question 1

what did Cesare Lombroso believe

Answer 1

he believed that criminals were genetic throwbacks and a sub species who were biologically different from non criminals

Question 2

atavistic meaning

Answer 2

reversion to something ancestral

Question 3

atavistic characteristics of criminals

Answer 3

narrow sloping brow
strong prominent jaw
high cheekbones
asymmetry

Question 4

how were murderers described

Answer 4

bloodshot eyes
curly hair
swollen fleshy lips
projecting ears

Question 5

how did lombroso justify his theory

Answer 5

he examined facial and cranial features of Italian convicts, both living and dead.
in total he examined the skulls of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones.
he concluded 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by the criminal sub species

Question 6

+ evaluation of atavistic approach

Answer 6

+ played an important role in shifting away from theories based on feeble mindedness and demonic possession. It was the forerunner to more biological explanations

Question 7

• evaluation of atavistic approach

Answer 7

• racist undertones as most features are found in those with african descent
  -he didn’t compare his criminal sample to a non criminal ctrl grp, if he had, the differences he reported may have disappeared
  -atavistic characteristics aren’t the CAUSE they can be influenced by poor diet and poverty, which also leads to crime