Topic 2 - Biological Theories of Crime

Question 1

Which 2 areas can we divide Lombroso’s views into?

Answer 1

• inherited criminality
• evolution and atavism

Question 2

What did Lombroso believe? (inherited)

Answer 2

That criminality was inherited, passed down from generation to generation, biologically

Question 3

What did Lombroso say about criminality being inherited

Answer 3

• some individuals were born criminal and that nothing could be done about it: extreme views
• that we could determine criminals based on their looks : inherited features

Question 4

What physical features did criminals have according to Lombroso?

Answer 4

• rapists had jug ears
• bloodshot eyes
• big ‘hawk-like’ noses

Question 5

What evidence did Lombroso have for inherited criminality?

Answer 5

The criminal man study, 1876

Question 6

What did Lombroso believe (atavism)?

Answer 6

criminals were atavistic, their physical characteristics demonstrated an earlier primitive stage of evolution

Question 7

What were Lombroso’s suggestions about criminals in relation to evolution and atavism?

Answer 7

• atavism based on their physical features which appeared ‘ape-like’
• believed criminals represented a primitive stage of evolution (between modern and primitive humans)

Question 8

What characteristics did Lombroso say criminals had about them being activists?

Answer 8

• unable to control impulses
• pre-social
• reduced sensitivity to pain (often had tattoos)
• behaved like savages and apes

Question 9

What atavistic features, according to Lombroso, could be used to identify criminals?

Answer 9

• heavy jaw
• sloping forehead
• excessively long arms
• extra fingers or toes

Question 10

What did Sheldon believe about criminality?

Answer 10

criminality was linked to a person’s somatotype (body type)

Question 11

What 3 somatotype were proposed by Sheldon?

Answer 11

• endomorphs
• ectomorphs
• mesomorphs

Question 12

What body type did endomorphs have?

Answer 12

• fat
• wide waist
• large bone structure
• shorter limbs, small shoulders
• carry their weight in hips and thighs

Question 12

What body type did ectomorphs have?

Answer 12

• long thin muscles and limbs
• low fat storage
• slim

Question 12

What body type did mesomorphs have?

Answer 12

• predisposed to building muscle but not store fat
• strong, solid
• rectangular body shape
• upright posture

Question 13

Which one of Sheldon’s somatotypes’ were more likely to be criminal?

Answer 13

mesomorphs

Question 14

What is the link between Sheldon’s views on somoatotypes and criminality?

Answer 14

He believed criminality was linked to a person’s body type.

Question 15

Why did Sheldon believe mesomorphs were more likely to be criminal?

Answer 15

biologically - mesomorphs would likely have higher levels of testosterone which has a positive correlation with aggression.

socially - due to physical advantages; risk takers, engaging in risky criminal behaviours

Question 16

What did Glueck and Glueck do to research the link between criminality and somatotypes?

Answer 16

conducted longitudinal research into juvenile delinquency using control groups and added to Sheldon’s list of somatotypes.

Question 17

What were Gluecks’ findings, the evidence that supports Sheldon’s theory?

Answer 17

• mesomorphs were represented among delinquents by a ratio of nearly two to one as compared to non delinquent controls.