unit 2 biological theories of criminality: physiological theories

Question 1

what is lambroso’s key idea?

Answer 1

criminals are physically different from non-criminals, he believes they are born criminal and uses facial features to differentiate the 2

Question 2

what was his study?

Answer 2

measured many criminals heads and faces

Question 3

what were his findings?

Answer 3

criminals are more likely to have large jaws, long arms, big noses.

Question 4

what is activism and how does it link with lambroso’s study?

Answer 4

the idea that criminals are ‘throwbacks’ to more primitive stage of evolution. he believes criminals are throwbacks to primitive stage of evolution - pre-social, impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain

Question 5

what are 3 strengths of lambroso’s study?

Answer 5

he was the first person to study crime scientifically, it shows importance of clinical and historical records of criminals and it helps to focus on prevention not punishment

Question 6

what are 3 limitations to lambroso’s study?

Answer 6

it has no further evidence to link facial features and criminality, it did not compare with control group of non-criminal and he was a racist; equates criminals with savages/non-western society

Question 7

what is sheldon’s somatype theory’s key idea?

Answer 7

somatype (body type) is related to criminality

Question 8

what was his study?

Answer 8

he looked at body types and compared with the likelihood of criminality

Question 9

what were his findings?

Answer 9

he identified 3 body types: endomorph (rounded, soft bodied, lacking muscle. sociable, relaxed and outgoing) ectomorph (thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle. flat chested, narrow hips and shoulders, thin face. self conscious, emotionally restrained and thoughtful) and mesomorph (muscular, hard-bodied, strong limbs, broad shoulders and narrow waist. adventurous, sensation-seeking, assertive and domineering). mesomorph is most likely to be criminal

Question 10

what is the reason?

Answer 10

attracted by risk-taking and physique and assertiveness are important assets in crime

Question 11

what are 2 strengths of sheldon’s study?

Answer 11

other studies replicate his findings and most serious delinquents had most mesomorph bodies

Question 12

what are 4 limitations of sheldon’s study?

Answer 12

criminality is likely to be a combination of biology and environment, mesomorph build may be result of criminality, social class might be true cause of offending and mesomorph and mesomorphs more likely to be labelled