Biological Explanation of Offending Profile: Atavistic Form

Question 1

Atavistic (primitive) form definition

Answer 1

a biological approach to offending that attributes criminal activity to the fact that offenders are genetic throwbacks or a primitive sub-species ill-suited to the conforming to the rules of modern society.

Such individuals are distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics

Question 2

eugenics definition

Answer 2

is a movement that is aimed at improving the genetic composition of the human race.

Historically, eugenicists advocated selective breeding to achieve these goals

Question 3

Who developed the atavistic form theory and when?

Answer 3

Cesare Lombroso in 1876.

Question 4

What book did Lombroso publish his theory in?

Answer 4

L’Uomo Delinquente.

Question 5

What did Lombroso believe about criminals?

Answer 5

They are “genetic throwbacks” — a primitive sub-species who are biologically different from non-criminals.

Question 6

What are the 3 main assumptions Lombroso made about criminals?

Answer 6

Lack evolutionary development

Are savage and untamed

Cannot adjust to civilised society and so turn to crime

Question 7

What are ‘atavistic characteristics’?

Answer 7

Physical features thought to be signs of a more primitive evolutionary stage and linked to criminality.

Question 8

Name at least 4 atavistic physical features according to Lombroso.

Answer 8

Strong, prominent jaw

High cheekbones

Facial asymmetry

Dark skin

Extra toes, nipples, or fingers

Narrow sloping brow

Left-handedness (modern addition)

Question 9

What feature did Lombroso associate with sexual deviants?

Answer 9

Glinting eyes and swollen, fleshy lips.

Question 10

What physical feature did Lombroso associate with fraudsters?

Answer 10

Thin and reedy lips

Question 11

How many dead and living criminals did Lombroso study?

Answer 11

383 dead and 3839 living criminals.

Question 12

What did Lombroso conclude from his research?

Answer 12

40% of criminal acts could be explained by atavistic characteristics.

Question 13

AO1 atavistic form

Answer 13

• Lombroso’s work originated from his book (L’Huomo Deliquente) which suggested criminals were ‘genetic throwbacks’ – a primitive sub-species, biologically different from non-criminals, he credited a more rigorous and scientific way to view criminal behaviour – foundation for the modern offender profiling techniques. Lombroso examined the facial and cranial features of hundred of Italian convicts, both living and dead, specifically the skulls of 383 dead criminals and 3839 living ones, and concluded that 40 % of criminal acts could be accounted for by atavistic characteristics. This led to the atavistic (primitive) form, a biological approach to offending that attributes criminal activity to the fact that offenders are genetic throwbacks or a primitive sub-species ill-suited to the conforming to the rules of modern society. Such individuals are distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics like lips, glinted eyes, dark skin, prominent jawline, high cheekbones and facial asymmetry. Lack of evolutionary development???

Question 14

AO3 (1) atavistic form

Answer 14

• One strength of Lombroso’s research is its large contribution to criminology
• Lombroso was hailed as the ‘father of modern criminology’ (Hollin 1989) and credited as shifting emphasis in research away for moralistic (e.g. ‘weak-minded’) discourse to scientific discourse (e.g. evolution and genetics)
• Also in trying to describe how particular types of people are likely to commit particular types of crime, Lombroso’s theory heralded the beginning of criminal profiling
• However, it can be argued that it is subjective as he doesn’t have anyone else looking at his research thus reducing inter-observer reliability
• Despite this, in this way he made a major contribution to the science of criminology and we still use offender profiling
• Thus increasing the external validity of Lombroso’s research

Question 15

AO3 (2) atavistic form

Answer 15

• One limitation is the racial undertones of Lombroso’s work
• Many of the features that Lombroso identifies as criminal and atavistic, such as curly hair and dark skin, are more likely to be found among people of African descent
• Similarly, his description of the atavistic form being as ‘uncivilised, primitive, savage’ would lend support to the eugenic philosophies of the time (i.e. that certain groups should not be allowed to breed)
• However, it can be argued that this was solely due to his sample of Italian people who are stereotypically quite olive toned and fit these profiles.
• Despite this, Lombroso’s intention is unclear, but there is little doubt that these racial undertones are uncomfortable and controversial legacy which overshadows his work

Question 16

AO3 (3) atavistic form

Answer 16

• A final limitation is that causation is a problem in Lombroso’s theory
• Even if there are criminals who have atavistic elements in their facial appearance, this does not necessarily mean this is the cause of their offending
• Facial and cranial differences may be influences by other factors (e.g. poverty or poor diet) rather than being an indication of delayed evolutionary development
• However, it can be argued that the biological aspect plays the main role, thus validating the reductionism in Lombroso’s theory
• Despite this, in his later works, Lombroso acknowledged that criminals, could be made as well as born. Additionally his research does not take into account environmental factors,
• thus reducing the internal validity of his theory.