Lombroso's theory Flashcards
(13 cards)
Who was Cesare Lombroso?
An Italian criminologist known as the father of modern criminology; he developed the theory of the “born criminal.”
What is Lombroso’s main theory?
That criminals are biologically different from non-criminals and can be identified by physical characteristics.
What is the concept of the “atavistic criminal”?
A person who is a genetic throwback to a more primitive stage of human evolution, marked by certain physical features.
Name some physical traits Lombroso believed indicated criminality.
Large jaws, sloping foreheads, high cheekbones, asymmetrical faces, long arms, and large ears.
What type of determinism is Lombroso’s theory based on?
Biological determinism.
What was Lombroso’s impact on criminology?
He shifted the focus from crime being solely a moral or legal issue to something that could be studied scientifically.
How did later criminologists improve upon Lombroso’s ideas?
By incorporating psychological and sociological theories that consider environment, upbringing, and mental health.
What was the aim of Lombroso’s study?
To investigate whether criminals could be identified by physical characteristics, suggesting a biological basis for crime.
What method did Lombroso use in his study?
He conducted post-mortem examinations and studied the physical characteristics of thousands of Italian prisoners.
How many criminals did Lombroso study?
Around 3,000 living criminals and over 400 skulls of deceased criminals.
What were Lombroso’s main findings?
He claimed that about 40% of criminal behavior could be attributed to atavistic features—physical traits from earlier evolutionary stages.
Give examples of “atavistic features” Lombroso identified.
Heavy jaw, low sloping forehead, large ears, long arms, asymmetrical face, and pronounced cheekbones.
What type of criminals did Lombroso particularly associate with atavistic features?
Violent and sexual offenders.
