Physiological theories

Question 1

what was lombroso’s physiological theory?

Answer 1

Lombroso argued that a ‘born criminal’ could be
determined by the physical shape of the head and
face. He claimed that criminality was heritable and
those who committed crimes had atavistic or
primitive features such as tiny wandering eyes . Such features were a ‘throwbacks’ from an earlier stage of human development that manifested as a tendency to commit crimes.

Question 2

what was sheldons theory (somatypes)

Answer 2

Sheldon advanced a theory that shares with
Lombroso’s principle idea that criminal behaviour is linked to a person’s physical form. Sheldon put torward that there were three fundamental body types, or somatotypes:
1. Endomorphic (fat and soft) tend to be sociable and relaxed.
2. Ectomorphic (thin and fragile) and introverted and restrained.
3. Mesomorphic (muscular and hard) tend to be more aggressive and adventurous.

He found that many criminals prone to committing violent and aggressive acts were mesomorph, and the least likely were ectomorphic.

Question 3

what is brain abnormalities

Answer 3

Several research studies have suggested that damage to the pre-frontal cortex of the brain maycause individuals to have an altered behaviour pattern. Becoming more immature and having an increased loss of self-control as well as having an inability to modify behaviour.