Sheldon- AC2.1 Flashcards
Identify one feature of Sheldons theory of criminality
Sheldon believes criminal behaviour is linked to a persons physical form. He was more interested in the body type- crime is linked to how people look
Identify a second feature of this theory
Somatotypes: There are three distinct body shapes: Ectomorph (thin and fragile) those who tend to be introverted and restrained; endomorph (fat and soft) those who tend to be social and relaxed; mesomorph (muscular and hard) those who tend to be aggressive and adventurous
Identify a third feature on this theory
He used a sample of photographs of college students and delinquents rated on a scale of 1(low) - 7(high) of their resemblance to mesomorphy. The results showed that the delinquents had a higher average mesomorphy rating than the college students
Identify a fouth feature of this theory
Sheldon, using a correlation study, found that many convicts were mesomorphic and least likely to be ectomorph. Mesomorphs are also likely to have a high pain threshold and be callous and ruthless
Evaluate one strength of Sheldon theory
ID- Replication to test for reliability
Q- Glueck used shelf one typology extensively
EG- Finding 60% of the delinquent population to be mesomorphs and 30% to be endomorphs
AN- This supports because it shows that there is some truth behind the theory and shows that appearance could cause criminals
Evaluate one weakness of this theory
ID- Does not take into account that people’s somatotypes are not fixed. People’s bodies change throughout their lives and an individual may be all three types at some point in their lives.
Q- Sheldon does not detail whether this would lead to changes in personality and criminal behaviour.
EG- This theory could not really explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminals
AN- Only focuses on criminals. Just because many criminals are mesomorphs. It does not mean all mesomorphs are criminal.
Evaluate a second weakness of this theory
ID- It could be society NOT biology that explains the difference.
Q- It could be that people react to mesomorphs in ways that increase their risk of criminal behaviour.
EG- Because of the stereotype people hold about mesomorphs they may be drawn into delinquent activities by their peer groups
AN- Alternatively, the judicial system may treat them more harshly, increasing the likelihood that they will officially be labelled as a criminal (Blackburn 1993)
