Biological approach to offending: historical

Question 1

Historical approach

Answer 1

Criminals are genetic throwbacks (Lombroso)

Question 2

a biological approach

Answer 2

offending behaviour is innate, so offender not at fault

Question 3

atavistic form

Answer 3

strong jaw, high cheekbones, asymmetric face, dark skin, unemployed.

Question 4

Offender types

Answer 4

murderer = bloodshot eyes, curly hair

Question 5

Lombroso’s research

Answer 5

Examined 4000+ convicts (383 dead), 40% had atavistic form

Question 6

Lombroso’s legacy (evaluation)

Answer 6

‘Father of modern criminology’. moved from moralistic to scientific discourse.
COUNTERPOINT
people of African descent identified as atavistic (racist), fitting eugenic views of the time.

Question 7

Contradictory evidence

Answer 7

3000 offenders and 3000 non-offenders, no physical differences (Goring)

Question 8

Poor control

Answer 8

Confounding variables uncontrolled, e.g. social conditions (Hay and Forrest).

Question 9

Nature or nurture?

Answer 9

Atavistic form inherited but other factors cause physical features e.g. poor diet)