PAPER 3 - FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY - biological explanations of offending behaviour Flashcards
what are the biological approaches/explanations to offending behaviour?
- atavistic form theory (historical explanation)
- genetic & neural explanations
what is atavistic form?
- a biological approach suggesting criminals are a genetic throwback (primitive subspecies) unable to conform to modern society
- suggests crime is innate and behaviour is genetically determined
- individuals are distinguished appearance with specific facial and cranial characteristics
what physical features are associated with criminal behaviour according to atavistic form?
prominent jaw
large ears
high cheekbones
extra toes and nipples
what research evidence is there to support atavistic form?
in one of Lombroso’s studies of 383 convicted criminals, 21% had one atavistic trait and 43% had at least 5
how did Lombroso carry out his research?
- systematically examined facial and cranial characteristics of convicted criminals
- features considered to be key into study of criminality
- found statistical significance, 40% of crimes committed were by those with atavistic traits
what did Lombroso say about environmental influences?
suggested that atavistic form interacted with a persons physical and social environment
what is meant by the term ‘somatotypes’
body type
how did Lombrosis later distinguish between different types of criminals (1897)?
- born criminals (atavistic type)
- insane criminals (suffering from mental health issues)
- criminaloids (innate characteristics predisposed them to criminal behaviour under certain circumstances)
how can Lombroso considered to have contributed to the science of criminology? (evaluation)
- shifted emphasis away from moralistic discourse
- made it more scientific
- laid foundation of offender profiling
- research was evidence based
HOWEVER didn’t compare to a control group which would have controlled confounding variables e.g. poverty
why might Lombroso’s work be accused of scientific racism and linked to the eugenics movement? (evaulation)
- eugenics movement suggested desirable traits are inherited e.g. intelligence, morality
- these groups were at a genetic advantage and should therefore breed for society while others should not
what contradictory evidence was there against Lombroso’s research? (evaulation)
- Goring - conducted comparison between 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals
- concluded no evidence of distinct group with unusual facial characteristics
- though did find criminals have slightly lower IQ
what are the issues of gender bias within Lombroso’s research? (evaulation)
- didnt study females so unable to generalise findings
what research support is there for somatotoypes? (evaulation)
- Ktetschmer studied 4000 criminals and suggested criminals fall into 4 somatotypes
- leptosome - tall & thin - associated with petty thieves
- athletic - tall & muscular - associated with crimes of violence
- pyknic - short & fat - crimes of deception & violence
- dysplastic - mixed - more than one type of crime
however no control group was used
what are the overall strengths of the historical explanation to offending behaviour?
- beginning of scientific criminology
- research support for somatotypes
- genetics research suggests our genes carry criminal predisposition
what are the overall limitations of the historical explanation to offending behaviour?
- criticisms of Lombroso’s methods
- links with eugenics movement
- evidence to challenge Lombroso’s findingd (Goring)
- gender bias in research