{PHYSIOLOGICAL] Biological - Sheldon

Question 1

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain 3 strengths

Answer 1

+ Scale of body types was useful for healthcare

+ Used extensive research to match body types to characteristics (e.g: mesomorphs are more delinquent)

+ Can link testosterone to aggression and body type

Question 2

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain 3 weaknesses

Answer 2

• People’s body’s fluctuate
• Not everyone who is a mesomorph will be a criminal
• Only three body types explained

Question 3

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain William Sheldon’s Theory

Answer 3

Believed there was a correlation between body type and overall behaviour patterns
Had a book ‘Atlas of men’ linked body shape to delinquents

Question 4

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

What are the three body types (Somatotypes)

Answer 4

Ectomorph

Endomorph

Mesomorph

((PURE SOMATOTYPES ARE RARE AND MOST PEOPLE REPRESENT A BLENDING OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES))

Question 5

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain the characteristics of the three body types

Answer 5

(Skinny/average build) Ectomorph = Introverted and restrained

(Fatter build) Endomorph = Sociable and relaxed

(Strong/fit build) Mesomorph = Aggressive and adventurous [Prone to committing aggressive and violence acts]

Question 6

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain Mesomorph’s link to criminality

Answer 6

Prone to committing aggressive and violence acts
They pose the greatest threat of becoming delinquents and later criminals

Question 7

[WILLIAM SHELDON]

Explain the supporting evidence for William Sheldon’s theory

Answer 7

Found that criminal groups were mesomorphic and his study had a control group to compare to