Sheldon Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are Sheldon’s strengths?
Connection between biology and behaviour
Holistic approach
Early attempt of profiling
What the connection between biology and behaviour for Sheldon?
Connection between physical traits and behaviour
What is Sheldon’s holistic approach?
Combined psychology, sociology and physiology, more integrated explanation
What is Sheldon’s early attempt to profiling?
Groundwork for criminal profiling and behavioural analysis
What are Sheldon’s weaknesses?
Oversimplification
Lack of empirical support
Deterministic
Why is Sheldon’s theory seen as oversimplified?
Complex of relationship between body type and criminal behaviour, ignoring social, environmental and psychological factors
Why does Sheldon’s theory lack empirical support?
Lacked factual, scientific evidence, criticised for not providing a strong, consistent data to support claims
Why is Sheldon’s theory deterministic?
Determined by body type, neglected role of personal choice, social context or environmental influences
What did Sheldon do?
Classify individuals into 3 somatotypes based on body shape and physique linking physical characteristics to crime
What did Sheldon use to classify the individuals?
Physical measurements and psychological assessments
What did Sheldon find?
Endomorphs - round, soft physique, sociable, relaxed and fun loving
Ectomorphs - slim, delicate build, introverted, anxious and intellectual
Mesomorph - muscular, athletic build, assertive, energetic, more likely to be aggressive and a criminal
What did Sheldon conclude?
Mesomorphs were more likely to commit crime due to their aggression and physical endurance
Mesomorphs are more predisposed to criminality
What is gait recognition and how is it used?
Incentivise individuals based on unique walking patterns, able to distinguish people and find criminals
