atavistic form

Question 1

what is the atavistic form and who proposed it?

Answer 1

Lombroso 1876
- criminals were genetic throwbacks = a primitive sub-species who were biologically different from non criminals

Question 2

why are criminals likely to commit crimes according to Lombroso?

Answer 2

• offenders lack evolutionary development
• savage and untamed nature meant that they would find it impossible to adjust to civilised society = turn to crime
• lombroso saw criminal behaviour as an innate tendency and said criminals were not at fault

Question 3

what does it mean by atavistic characteristics?

Answer 3

Lombroso argued there are physiological ‘markers’ that were linked to particular types of crime - these are biologically determined

Question 4

examples of atavistic characteristics:

Answer 4

● A narrow, sloping brow
● A strong prominent jaw
● High cheekbones
● Facial asymmetry
● Dark skin
● The existence of extra toes, nipples or fingers

Question 5

Different types of criminals have different physical features:
examples?

Answer 5

• Murderers were described as having bloodshot eyes, curly hair and long ears
• Sexual deviants were described as having glinting eyes with swollen and fleshy lips

Question 6

what are some other things Lombroso suggested criminals have?

Answer 6

Lombroso suggested that there were other aspects of criminals, including insensitivity to pain, use of criminal slang, tattoos and unemployment

Question 7

what was lombrosos research?

Answer 7

• Lombroso examined the facial and cranial (skull) features of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones
• He concluded that 40% of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics