Sheldon

• Somatotypes theory (1940)

  • Saw criminals as physically different from the rest of the population
  • Body measurements connect to your personality
  • Certain somatotypes (body types) are linked to criminal behaviour
• Ectomorph:

  • Thin, fragile, lacking muscle
  • Self-conscious, fragile, emotionally restrained and thoughtful
• Endomorph:

  • Rounded, soft
  • Sociable, relaxed, comfortable and outgoing
  • Lack muscle or tone
• Mesomorph:

  • Muscular, strong, broad shoulders
  • Adventurous, assertive, sensation-seeking
• The mesomorph is the most likely to commit crime as their physique makes it easier and their personality with their assertiveness and sensation-seeking makes it easier for them to commit crime and more likely to seek it out.
• The Hayden Goodwill Institute measured students and found that the mesomorphic students are more prone to delinquency.
• Sheldon + Glueck (1950’s)

  800 delinquents were compared to non delinquents and it was found that the delinquents were more likely to be mesomorphic.