Sheldon

• Sheldon’s theory (1942) - the criminal ‘build’?

  Individuals are predisposed to crime based on their genetics.
• Somatotype?

  Structure or build of a person.
• Ectomorphic?

  Fragile and thin.
• Endomorphic?


  Round and soft.
• Mesomorphic?

  • Muscular and triangular
  • More likely to get involved in crime at an early age due to their intimidating appearance and assertiveness
  • More likely to be aggressive and do adventurous activities that involve risk-taking
• Strengths of Sheldon’s theory - Putwain and Sammons?

  • Have found a small association between bodily build and criminality
  • The most serious delinquents in Sheldon’s sample were those with extreme mesomorphic body shapes
• Strengths of Sheldon’s theory - Glueck and Gluck (1956)?


  Found that 60% of the offenders in their sample were mesomorphs, compared to 31% in the non-offending group.
• Strengths of Sheldon’s theory - control group?

  Sheldon had a comparison group (college students) and was able to show differences between criminals and non-criminals.
• Strengths of Sheldon’s theory - large sample?

  Studied the front, side and back views of 4000 scantily clothed men.
• Weaknesses in Sheldon’s theory - Glueck and Glueck (1950s)?

  • Found that criminality was best explained by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors
  • Somatotype not fixed for life
• Weaknesses in Sheldon’s theory - Correlational research?

  Shows a relationship between body type and criminal behaviour. It is possible that engaging in criminality leads to the need for the development of a particular body shape.
• Weaknesses in Sheldon’s theory - Social class?

  Could be true cause of offending. Convicted offenders tend to be working class men, who have manual jobs that require an athletic build.

  Ectomorphs and endomorphs also commit crime.
• Weaknesses in Sheldon’s theory - Self-fulfilling prophecy?

  Mesomorphs are more likely to be labelled as troublemakers and could attract more police attention.