Lombroso

Question 1

Describe Lombrosos Theory

Answer 1

• Studied physical features of prisoners
• people with specific features such as prominent eyebrow arches, high cheekbones and handle shaped ears are ‘born criminals’.
• ‘Us and Them’ theory, we are normal and they are atavistic

Question 2

Strengths of Lombrosos Theory

Answer 2

• first person to study crime scientifically
• helps us focus on how to prevent reoffending

Question 3

Weaknesses of lombrosos theory

Answer 3

• modern studies found no evidence of his theory
• Goring studies features of prisoners and found no features that lombrosos mentioned
• It is deterministic