Lombroso’s atavistic form

• Outline Lombroso’s atavistic form as a theory for offending behaviour.


  In an early explanation for offending behaviour, Lombroso suggested that offenders were genetic throwbacks i.e. individuals that lack evolutionary development.

  Their savage and untamed (caveman-like) nature means they find it difficult to adjust to today’s society and so they turn to crime.
• Outline Lombroso’s atavistic form as a theory for offending behaviour.


  Lombroso proposed that these genetic throwbacks could be identified by their atavistic (ancestral) characteristics.

  Examples of these include: narrow, sloping brows; a strong jaw, high cheekbones and dark skin.
• Outline Lombroso’s atavistic form as a theory for offending behaviour.


  Lombroso also proposed that different types of criminals could be identified based on their physical characteristics.

  For example, murderers would have bloodshot eyes and curly hair whereas offenders of sexual crimes would have fleshy lips and large ears.
• Evaluate Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: resulted in practical applications. 


  This is because unlike earlier theories that focused on wickedness or possessed by demons, Lombroso emphasised the role of biological factors i.e. genetics in offending behaviour. This is a strength as it led to more scientific research into the potential causes of criminal behaviour. In addition, Lombroso’s theory led to the beginning of offender profiling. This is because he attempted to describe how particular types of people are likely to commit particular types of crimes.
• Evaluate Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: received opposing evidence. 


  After examining the faces and skulls of over 3000 criminals and 3000 non-criminals, research concluded that there was no evidence that offenders had more atavistic features. This is a limitation as it contradicts Lombroso’s theory that criminals are genetic throwbacks that can be identified based on their appearance.
• Evaluate Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: difficult to establish cause and effect


  It could be argued that characteristics such as high cheekbones may result from factors such as drug abuse rather than being a ‘genetic throwback’ and that is why they are more likely to commit crimes. This is a limitation because it suggests that environmental factors, rather than genetics, may drive someone into committing crimes.
• Evaluate Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: negative implications in society.

  This is because it is considered a racist theory i.e. many of the atavistic features that Lombroso identified, such as curly hair and dark skin, are most likely to be found among people of African descent. This is a limitation as it contributed to biases in the policing system whereby people of African descent are wrongfully targeted and convicted of crimes.