Atavistic Form (Year 13 Booklet 6)

Who developed the theory of Atavistic Form and when?

• Cesare Lombroso

• 1876

Why do we still study Atavistic form when the theory has been discredited since?

• Atavistic form established a scientific basis for studying crime

• Laid foundations for modern offender profiling

Outline atavistic form

A biological approach suggesting criminal activity is a result of criminals being “genetic throwbacks” lacking in evolutionary development

How does being a “genetic throwback” lead to criminal behaviour?

Genetic throwbacks are unable to adjust to civilised society so turn to crime

List 4 general facial and cranial characteristics that are caused by being “genetic throwbacks”

• Prominent jaw

• Narrow, sloping brow

• High cheekbones

• Facial asymmetry

• Dark skin

• Extra toes/nippkes

What facial/cranial characteristic did Lombroso suggest fraudsters have?

Thin, reedy lips

What 3 facial/cranial characteristics did Lombroso suggest murderers have?

• Blood shot eyes

• Curly hair

• Long ears

What 3 facial/cranial characteristics did Lombroso suggest sexual deviants have?

• Glinting eyes

• Swollen, fleshy lips

• Projecting ears

What 4 non-facial/cranial characteristics did Lombroso suggest was an indicator of an atavistic criminal?

• Insensitivity to pain

• Use of criminal slang (cannot cope with normal language demands)

• Tattoos

• Unemployment

Describe the procedure, group and findings of Lombroso’s research. What does he conclude from this?

• Procedure: Studied the facial and cranial features of Italian convicts

• Group:

  • 383 dead criminals

  • 3839 living criminals

• Findings: 40% of criminals had atavistic characteristics

• Conclusion: It is possible to identify criminals from their physical characteristics

Give a supporting evaluation point of the atavistic form explanation of offending behaviour

• Lombroso’s Atavistic form established a scientific basis for studying crime

• Laid foundations for modern offender profiling

Give a counter limitation evaluation point of the atavistic form explanation of offending behaviour

Lombroso used poor research methods

• Did not use a control group in study

• No consideration of confounding variables

Give a limitation evaluation point of the atavistic form explanation of offending behaviour using Charles Goring’s study

• Charles Goring compared 3000 criminals with 3000 non-criminals

• Founds no differences except criminals were smaller and below average intelligence

How is Atavistic form an example of scientific racism and how is this a limitation to the atavistic form explanation of offending behaviour

• Atavistic facial and cranial features include dark skin, curly hair and swollen lips

• Features of people amongst African descent

• Could promote eugenic philosophies