Lombroso Flashcards
What type of genetic theory is Lombroso’s theory?
Physiological.
What did Lombroso claim?
That criminals were a separate species that was between modern and primitive humans.
Criminals are a primitive throwback from evolutionary past who have characteristics that manifest a tendency to commit crimes
What kind of features did Lombroso claim criminals have?
Atavistic (primitive) features.
He argued that the physical shape of the head and face determined the ‘born criminal’.
What type of features did Lombroso claim murderers have?
Beak-like noses, curly abundant hair, long monkey-like ears, thin lips, and blood-shot eyes.
What type of features did Lombroso claim sexual offenders have?
Projecting ears, swollen and fleshy lips.
What type of features did Lombroso claim fraudsters have?
Thin and ‘reedy’ lips.
What is one strength of Lombroso’s theory?
Lombroso was credited with bringing science to the study of criminality and is regarded as the modern founder of criminology. He took an evidence-based approach and bases his ideas on empirical observation and detailed measurement.
What is one weakness of Lombroso’s theory?
Lombroso studied prisoners and did not pay attention to non-prisoners. A researcher found in a sample of 3000 that there were no differences between convicts and non-convicts except that convicts were slightly smaller.
