Physiological Explanations - Somatotypes

Question 1

Sheldon’s theory - basic outline

Answer 1

Delinquents are more likely to be high in mesomorphy and low in ectomorphy

Question 2

Somatotype

Answer 2

To characterise the human physique (categorise people into types according to body build)

Question 3

Three Somatotypes according to Sheldon

Answer 3

• Endomorphs
• Ectomorphs
• Mesomorphs

Question 4

Endomorphs

Answer 4

A person with a soft round build of body and a high proportion of fat tissue

Personality - relaxed, comfortable, extroverted

Question 5

Ectomorphs

Answer 5

A person with a lean and delicate build of a body

Personality - introverted, thoughtful, inhibited, sensitive

Question 6

Mesomorphs

Answer 6

A person whose build is compact and muscular

Personality - active, dynamic, assertive, aggressive

Question 7

Which Somatotype is most likely to commit crime, according to Sheldon?

Answer 7

Mesomorphs - people with larger and stronger builds are more associated with criminality, because they tend to have higher levels of testosterone (aggressive hormone - BIOLOGICAL); they are likely to take more risks in the world, and are strong too (SOCIAL).

Question 8

Glueck and Glueck’s findings

Answer 8

Found a fourth somatotype - balanced
Supported the idea that mesomorphs are more likely to commit crime
They found that mesomorphy in juvenile delinquents was 2:1
They concluded that criminals are mostly mesomorphs, but most mesomorphs are not criminals; therefore Sheldon’s theory is not relevant anymore.

Question 9

Sheldon’s Study to prove evidence of the link between Somatotypes and Criminality

Answer 9

He used sample photographs of 200 male college students and 200 male delinquents
He split male delinquents into ‘delinquent’ and “criminal delinquent” based on their level of delinquency
He rated the photos on a scale of 1 (low) to 7 (high) in relation to mesomorphy

Question 10

link between Somatotypes and Criminality Study - results suggestion

Answer 10

Mesomorphs are more delinquent

Question 11

Criticisms of Sheldon’s study evidence

Answer 11

• Judging based on physical appearance and creating stereotypes
• we don’t know how Sheldon decided to split the photographs of the delinquents - he may have chosen those with more mesomorphy (biased) to be the “criminal delinquents”.