Early biological theories: Lombroso's atavistic form

What name is given to Lombroso’s theory?

Atavistic (or atavistic form) theory

Lombroso was interested in what aspect of criminality?

Whether it was heritable

Lombroso claimed that criminals constituted a biologically distinct class of people who could not adapt to modern morality and had a tendency to show what type of characteristics?

Primitive

According to Lombroso, what were the biological characteristics of a murderer?

Bloodshot eyes, strong jaws & curly hair

What name is given to characteristics of the skull, as investigated by Lombroso?

Cranial

What are cranial characteristics Lombroso identified as being linked to criminality?

• A narrow, sloping brow

• A strong prominent jaw, high cheekbones

• Facial asymmetry

Lombroso also identified other physical features linked to crime. Give some examples

• Dark skin

• The existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers

Give three examples of non-physical traits that Lombroso linked to crime

• Insensitivity to pain

• Use of criminal slang, tattoos, poor education & unemployment

What phrase has been linked to Lombroso about criminals?

Criminals were ‘born & not made’

One of the greatest strengths of Lombroso’s work is that he shifted the emphasis of crime research from moral discussion towards what?

A more scientific approach

How many skulls of dead people did Lombroso examine?

383

How many skulls of living people did Lombroso study?

3839

What percentage of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics in the skulls Lombroso studied?

40%

Lombroso’s study of atavistic form was responsible for laying the foundations of which modern criminal technique?

Offender profiling

One of the major criticisms of Lombroso’s work is that it has racial undertones. Why?

Many of the atavistic features that Lombroso linked to criminality were actually associated with those of African descent (e.g. large protruding lips, a wide nose & dark curly hair)

Overall, Lombroso’s theory has been linked with which controversial philosophies?

Eugenic

What were two problems with Lombroso’s methodology?

There was no control group & the sample contained a large number of people who would today be classes as suffering from a psychological disorder

Some people have argued that Lombroso may have therefore confused criminology with what?

Psychopathology

Whose contradictory evidence would suggest that Lombroso’s findings are incorrect?

Goring

What was Goring’s sample?

3000 English convicts & 3000 non-convicts

Atavistic form theory fails to account for what type of factors that could affect the atavistic elements supposedly causing crime?

Environmental

Lombroso’s theory arguably lacks what?

Cause and effect

Give two examples that could affect facial characteristics rather than the delayed evolutionary development that Lombroso proposed

Poverty or poor diet