Lombrosso Flashcards
what were the atavistic features believed to be more common in criminals
Strong jaw, heavy brow, sloping shoulders, large/lobeless ears, high defined cheekbones, long arms relative to the body, flat nose, and drooping eyelids.
why did he believe these features were more common in criminals
He linked the idea that primitive/atavistic physical features were likely to result in primitive/atavistic instincts.
what were the strengths of this research
It was the first time biology was emphasised in the explanation of criminal behaviour.
The concept of interaction between factors to explain criminal behaviour was influential in later theories of criminology.
What were the limitations of this research
Lombroso did not compare the atavistic features of the criminal group to a non-criminal group, meaning the atavistic features may not be unique only to criminals, but could be found in the whole population, regardless of criminality.
