Sheldon's Somatotype Theory

• What did Sheldon do in his study?

  Examined photographs of 4000 men and concluded there were 3 somatotypes.

  • Endomorphs
  • Mesomorphs
  • Ectomorphs
• What are Endomorphs described as?


  Fat and soft/ sociable / relaxed/ in need of affection / peaceful
• What are Ectomorphs described as?


  Thin and fragile / introverted / restrained / quiet / sensitive
• What are Mesomorphs described as?


  Muscular and hard / aggressive / active / dominant / high pain threshold
• What somatotype is most likely to commit crime? 


  Mesomorphs - aggressive, dominant
• What somatotype is least likely to commit crime?


  Ectomorphs - quiet, restrained
• What are 2 Strengths of Sheldon's Theory?

  One Strength - Glueck (1956) found that 60% of a delinquent sample were mesomorph (31% were non delinquent).

  One Strength - Substantial sample size and control condition of non-offenders to compare which increased validity of his findings.
• What are 2 Limitations of Sheldon's Theory?

  One Limitation - Study does not explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminal.

  One Limitation - Mesomorphs might be pressured to engage in illicit activity due to stereotypes.