Criminology unit 2 Biological theories

• Who proposed the biological theory of crime in 1876?

  Lombroso
• What does Lombroso's biological theory assume about physical characteristics?


  They indicate a higher likelihood of committing crime
• According to Lombroso, what is the relationship between criminal tendencies and inheritance?


  Criminal tendencies are inherited
• What does Lombroso suggest can reveal criminal tendencies?


  Investigation into the brain
• What are the physical characteristics Lombroso identified as indicative of criminals?


  • Large jaws
  • Large eye sockets
  • Long arms
• How does Lombroso describe criminals in terms of evolution?


  As autovistic and in a primitive stage
• What type of evidence did Lombroso use to support his theory?


  Autopsies
• What does the 'us and them' theory refer to in Lombroso's work?


  Born criminals are physically different
• What term did Lombroso use to describe individuals whose criminality is influenced by their environment?

  Criminaloids
• According to Lombroso, what is the cause of criminality in 'criminaloids'?

  Environmental factors
• Evaluate Lombroso's theory (6)

  Strength - empiracle approach

  Strength - imprtance of examining criminal records

  strength - focus on how to prevent re-offending

  Weakness - failed to show a link - too deterministic assumed certain feature = criminality

  Weakness - racist (Used Primitive to describe criminals) - Ethics?

  Weakness - too reductionist - minimising the crime to a certain trait

  Weakness - methodology not valid - impossible to physically collect every part of data, might be damaged
• Sheldon's SamatoType theory (1949)

  saw criminals as physically different from non-criminals - built from Lombroso

  Endomorphs = rounded, soft (personality is sociable, relaxed)

  Ectomorphs = thin, fragile (personality is restrained, introverted)

  Mesomorphs = Muscular, hard (personality is aggressive, ruthless)

  Sheldon used corrolation study - convicts were mesomorphic

  ~ studied using 400 boys (compared them) in rehab home - monitored them for 8 years
• Evaluate Sheldon's theory (6)

  Strength- scientific study - corallation study (corralation does not equal causation)

  Strength- Glueck+gleuk replicated sheldon's findings

  Strength- most delinquints in his study sample - mostly mesomorphic

  Weakness- may develop body shape - samatotype = criminality?

  Weakness- Labelling - self-fullfilling prophecy

  Weakness- ectomorphs and endomorphs can commit crime

  Weakness - gender bias, lacks temporal validity