Lombroso Theory Flashcards
What does a biological theory of criminality propose?
Criminals are biologically different from non-criminals, causing their criminality.
Who is Cesare Lombroso?
An Italian psychiatrist and military doctor known as the father of modern criminology.
What is the main claim of Lombroso’s physiological theory?
The physical features of criminals differ from non-criminals, leading to criminality.
What are atavistic features?
Physical attributes indicating a throwback to earlier human development.
How did Lombroso gather data for his research?
By measuring facial features from 383 postmortems of criminals and 3,839 living criminals.
What percentage of criminal acts did Lombroso attribute to atavistic characteristics?
40%.
What characteristics did Lombroso associate with thieves?
Small, expressive face with wandering eyes.
What characteristics did Lombroso associate with murderers?
Cold, glassy stares, bloodshot eyes, and hawk-like noses.
List some examples of atavistic features according to Lombroso.
- Low sloping forehead
- Large ears
- Asymmetry of the face
- Protruding jawline
- Long arms
- Asymmetry of the cranium
- Large chin
- Flattened or upturned nose
- High cheekbones
What are some characteristics of the ‘born criminal’ according to Lombroso?
- Less sensibility to pain and touch
- More acute sight
- Lack of moral sense
- Vain and impulsive
- Vindictive and cruel
- Excessive tattooing and use of special criminal language
What are some strengths of Lombroso’s theory?
- First to study crime scientifically
- Importance of examining clinical and historical records
- Consideration of social and environmental factors
- Focus on preventing offending
- Challenged the idea of inherent evil in criminals
What are some weaknesses of Lombroso’s theory?
- Lack of a control group
- No link shown between facial features and criminality
- Flawed argument describing criminals as primitive savages
What did Goring’s experiment reveal?
No significant differences in behavior between criminals and a non-criminal control group.
What does determinism in Lombroso’s theory imply?
You are born a criminal and cannot escape your destiny.
What environmental factors does Lombroso’s theory ignore?
- Upbringing
- Environment
- Families
What significance does Lombroso’s work hold today?
First to give criminology scientific credibility and moved thinking away from moral issues.
Fill in the blank: Lombroso believed that offenders are ________ to an earlier phase of human history.
[throwbacks]
True or False: Not everyone with atavistic features is a criminal.
True.
True or False: Lombroso’s theories are widely accepted today.
False.
