Lombroso Flashcards
Strengths of theory
Supporting evidence
One of the first to study scientifically
Practical applications
Weaknesses of theory
Cannot explain all crimes
Reductionist
Flawed
What is the supporting evidence
Butcher and Taylor suggests that less attractive individuals are more likely to be considered guilty , 50% more so than attractive people
Why does theory being scientific strength
Giving scientific credibility and pave ways for useful explanations of crime and shift away from moral and religious posts
Why is practical applications a strength
If correct should Eva belt o ide tuft those with innate predisposition by facial and cranial features
Why theory cannot explain all crime a weakness
Theory only found 40% of criminal pts had atavism so the other 60% were still criminals but couldn’t explain why. also focus on traditional crime and not new tech crime
Why theory reductionist a weakness??
Complex behaviour of crime being broken down to much. An result in other relevant explanations not ring considered so more holistic approach like sociology or individualistic factors are proper
Why is theory flawed a weakness
Not compare criminal he studied to non criminal to establish whether characteristics occurred in non criminal population
what is this theory?
physiological
Explain Lombroso’s theory??
- this suggests that some people are born with an innate predisposition to crime - meaning someone can be born a criminal
- those with innate predisposition to crime are seen as less evolved and are more primitive = atavism
- those with atavism are human subspecies known as homo-delinquents’
-can effect their facial/ cranial features which lombroso found two principle markers = strong jaw and heavy brow
what are other features of those with atavism?
large chin, sloping forehead, twisted nose and excessive cheekbones.
for male offenders they need 5 or more atavistic features but for women it is 3
what is the supporting research for the theory?
Lombroso studied the facial and cranial features of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living criminals. Concluded 40% of criminal acts were committed by individuals with atavistic features. Claimed that you could tell what crime they would commit based on their features.
How does this theory explain criminal behaviour?
- those with atavism are more likely to be criminals
- homo-delinquents are wilder, untamed and unable to fit into the modern world
- their primitive nature makes them more aggressive and less intelligent
- this also implies that criminality is hereditary and can be passed down from previous generations.
