Physiological Theories

• What are 2 physiological theories?


  Lombrosso

  Sheldon
• What was Lombroso’s theory on “born criminals”?


  Argued that criminals were physically different from non-criminals he discovered by looking at autopsies and skulls

  Concluded - criminals had:

  • large jaw
  • high cheekbones
  • long arms
  • large eyesockets
  • poor eyesight

  He claimed that different criminals had different features

  • murderers: aquiline (beak) noses
  • thieves: flat noses

  These physical features can be read to make them out as different so they are born criminals

  He identified 2 other types of criminal who are biologically different:

  • insane criminals
  • epileptic criminals
• Why did Lombroso see criminals as atavistic?

  they were a throwback to primitive stages of evolution, they are pre-social unable to control their impulses and had reduced sensitivity to pain

  Argued that criminals were like savages.

  In primitive society would be normal but in modern society they are abnormal
• What are 4 strengths of Lombroso’s theory?


  First person to study crime scientifically using objective measurements and gathered evidence

  shows the importance of examining clinical and historical records

  later work took some limited account of social and environmental factors

  argued that offenders were not freely choosing to commit crime. He helps to focus on how we prevent further offending rather than punishing
• What are 3 limitations of Lombroso’s theory?


  Since his findings, research has failed to show link between facial features and criminality

  failed to compare findings of prisoners with a control group of non-criminals

  • if he did he may have found the same characteristics among the general population - so his explanation would be invalid

  Description of primitive stages

  • he equates non-western societies with criminals
  • racist
• What is Sheldon’s somotypes theory?

  Include the 3 somotypes 


  His view that certain body types are linked to criminal behaviour

  1. endomorphs
  2. ectomorphs
  3. mesomorphs
• Outline Endomorphs body type


  Physical features

  • round
  • lack muscle or tone
  • wide hips

  Personality

  • sociable relaxed outgoing
• Outline ectomorphs body type

  Physical feature

  • thin
  • lacking fat and muscle
  • narrow hips and shoulders
  • thin face
  • high forehead

  Personality

  • self conscious, thoughtful, fragile
• Outline mesomorphs body type


  physical feature

  • muscular
  • little fat
  • strong limbs

  Personality

  • adventurous
  • domineering

  So more likely to engage in crime and attracted to risk taking

  • these are your criminals
• What are 2 strengths of Sheldon’s theory?

  Other studies have replicated his findings

  • Gluek + Gluek found that 60% of offenders in their study was a mesomorph

  Scientific

  • measurement of criminals was using qualitative data
• What are 4 limitations of Sheldon’s theory?

  Gluek + Gluek found that criminality alone was not explained by biology alone, it was in combination of biological, physiological, and environmental factors.

  Criminals may develop a mesomorphs build as a result of needing to be physically tough - criminality causes somotypes

  labelling - mesomorphs labelled as trouble makers could lead to self fulfilling prophecy

  does not account for endomorphs and ectomorphs that commit crime
• Outline case study of Arthur Shawcross

  Murdered 11 women - dumped the bodies in the rive and constantly visited the river

  He had a mesomorphic build and was very violent and had a difficulty upbringing

  horribly mistreated when he was a child

  sexually assaulted when he was 14 yrs old