Biological explanations: a historical approach

• What is the historical approach to biological explanations of offending behavior?

  An atavistic form
• What does the nature versus nurture debate in criminal behavior suggest?

  Criminal behavior may be inherited or due to acquired abnormalities
• Who advanced the early biological explanation of offending behavior?

  Cesare Lombroso
• How would Lombroso's methods and conclusions be regarded today?

  As laughable
• What did Lombroso establish in the study of crime?

  A more scientific basis
• What is the definition of the atavistic form in criminology?

  • A biological approach to offending
  • Attributes criminal activity to genetic throwbacks
  • Offenders are ill-suited to modern society
  • Distinguishable by facial and cranial characteristics
• How did Lombroso describe criminals in his book?

  As 'atavistic' throwbacks
• What did Lombroso believe about offenders' evolutionary development?

  They lacked evolutionary development
• What did Lombroso suggest about the nature of offending behavior?

  It was a natural tendency rooted in genes
• How did Lombroso's ideas change the perception of offenders?

  He proposed that offenders were not to blame for their actions
• What are the physiological markers Lombroso associated with offenders?

  • Narrow, sloping brow
  • Strong prominent jaw
  • High cheekbones
  • Facial asymmetry
  • Dark skin
  • Extra toes, nipples, or fingers
• What specific characteristics did Lombroso attribute to murderers?

  Bloodshot eyes, curly hair, and long ears
• What characteristics did Lombroso associate with sexual deviants?

  Glinting eyes, swollen lips, and projecting ears
• What did Lombroso conclude about the percentage of criminal acts committed by those with atavistic characteristics?

  40%
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Lombroso's work?

  Strengths:

  • Changed the study of crime
  • Coined the term 'criminology'
  • Shifted focus to scientific influences

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Racist undertones in his work
  • Lack of control in research
  • Evidence contradicts his claims
• What did critics say about Lombroso's legacy?

  It may have racist undertones
• What did Charles Goring conclude about offenders?

  There was no distinct group with unusual characteristics
• What did Goring's research compare?

  3000 offenders and 3000 non-offenders
• What did Goring suggest about many people who commit crimes?

  They do not have unusual facial and cranial characteristics
• How did Lombroso's work influence the field of criminology?

  It heralded the beginning of offender profiling
• What was a major contribution of Lombroso to criminology?

  He shifted the emphasis to evolutionary influences
• In what year did Lombroso coin the term 'criminology'?

  1909
• What did Lombroso believe about the relationship between physical traits and crime?

  Physical traits were indicators of criminality
• How did Lombroso's view of offenders differ from previous perspectives?

  He viewed them as not to blame for their actions