Historical Approach to Explaining Offending Behaviour – Lombroso’s Atavistic Form

Question 1

Outline Lombroso’s atavistic form as a theory for offending behaviour.

Answer 1

Lombroso suggested that offenders were genetic throwbacks who lacked evolutionary development. Their savage nature made it difficult for them to adjust to modern society, leading them to crime. He proposed that these individuals could be identified by atavistic physical characteristics, such as narrow brows, strong jaws, high cheekbones, and dark skin. Different types of criminals could be identified based on specific features, e.g., murderers had bloodshot eyes and curly hair, while sexual offenders had fleshy lips and large ears.

Question 2

Give a strength of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory.

Answer 2

A strength of Lombroso’s theory is that it led to practical applications, shifting attention to biological and genetic factors. This encouraged scientific research into the causes of criminal behaviour and helped lay the foundation for modern offender profiling, linking physical traits with specific types of criminality.

Question 3

Give a limitation of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: lack of supporting evidence.

Answer 3

A limitation of Lombroso’s theory is that it has been contradicted by research. Analyses of over 3,000 criminals and 3,000 non-criminals found no evidence that criminals were more likely to possess atavistic features, undermining Lombroso’s claim about identifying offenders based on appearance.

Question 4

Give a limitation of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: cause and effect.

Answer 4

A limitation is that Lombroso’s theory cannot establish cause and effect. Physical characteristics could result from environmental factors like poverty or drug abuse rather than genetics, suggesting social influences may be more responsible for criminality than biology alone.

Question 5

Give a limitation of Lombroso’s atavistic form theory: negative social implications.

Answer 5

Another limitation is its potentially racist implications. Many atavistic features described, such as dark skin and curly hair, are more common in people of African descent, contributing to racial bias in the criminal justice system and fuelling discrimination against minority communities.