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Flashcards in Atavistic Form Deck (11)
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1
Q

Historical Approach

A
  • Lombroso suggested criminals criminals were genetic throwbacks
  • primitive sub species
2
Q

Biological approach

A
  • offenders seen as lacking evolutionary development
  • untamed nature makes it impossible to meet demands of society and would turn to crime
  • saw offending behaviour as genetic
3
Q

Atavistic Form

A
  • certain charcteristcs would make you look like an offender

- different characteristics linked to different crimes

4
Q

Cranial characteristics

A
  • narrow sloping brow
  • high cheekbones
  • facial asymmetry
5
Q

non-cranial characteristics

A
  • extra toes
  • extra fingers
  • extra nipples
6
Q

other characteristics

A
  • insensitivity to pain
  • use of slang
  • tattoos
  • unemployment
7
Q

murderer characteristics

A
  • bloodshot eyes
  • curly hair
  • long ears
8
Q

sexual deviant characteristics

A
  • glinting eyes
  • swollen fleshy lips
  • projecting ears
9
Q

fraudsters characteristics

A
  • thin and reedy lips
10
Q

lombroso’s research

A
  • examined facial and cranial features of italian convicts

- concluded 40% of criminal acts are committed by people with atavistic characteristics

11
Q

Evaluation

A

+ caused movement of criminology from moralistic to scientific

  • racist - some cultures have features such as dark skin that are seen as ativistic
  • contradictory evidence - 3000 offenders and non-offenders have no physical differences
  • poor control - confounding variables uncontrolled
  • nature vs nurture - Atavistic form is inherited but other factors can cause features