Atavistic Form

• Who developed the theory of atavistic form in criminology?

  Lombroso
• What does the atavistic form theory suggest about criminals?

  Criminals are at a more primitive stage
• According to Lombroso, what was the nature of criminality?

  Criminality was innate
• What physical features did Lombroso associate with criminals?

  Curly hair, dark skin, long arms
• What specific features did Lombroso identify for thieves and murderers?

  Thieves had upturned noses; murderers had hooked noses
• How did Lombroso support his theory of atavistic form?

  Through biological measurements of 4000 dead criminals
• What were the key physical features identified by Lombroso for criminals?

  • Curly hair
  • Dark skin
  • Excessively long arms
  • Small/big ears that stick out
  • Sharp jawline
  • Upturned nose (thief)
  • Beaked or hooked nose (murderer)
• What is a strength of the study mentioned?

  It conducted careful measurements for research
• Why did the study's rejection of free will benefit the justice system?

  It allowed for less harsh punishments
• What limitation is noted about the study's design?

  It lacked a control group for comparison
• How did the atavistic form influence eugenics policies?

  It contributed to racist policies and biased tests
• What did Goring compare in his study?

  3000 criminals with 3000 non-criminals
• What conclusion did Goring reach about the anthropological criminal type?

  There is no such thing as that type
• How does the atavistic form create a self-fulfilling prophecy?

  Physical features may lead to societal rejection
• What effect does the confusion of cause and effect have on individuals with certain features?

  They may turn to crime due to rejection