Sheldon's Theory
- Created by: ashfarmer15
- Created on: 25-01-23 12:15
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- Sheldon's Theory
- Facts
- Came up with somatotypes.
- Born: November 19, 1898. Died: September 16, 1977.
- Biological theory- predicted crime based on a person's body type.
- Came up with somatotypes.
- Claims
- Looked at 4,000 clothed men, claiming that people could be classified into three somatotypes.
- 1.Ectomorphic- (thin/fragile) and introverted.
- 2.Endomorphic- (fat and soft) tend to be sociable and relaxed.
- 3.Mesomorphic- (muscular and hard) tend to be aggressive and adventurous.
- The claim was that mesomorphic people are more likely to be criminals.
- Looked at 4,000 clothed men, claiming that people could be classified into three somatotypes.
- Components
- Correlational study- asking people to rate 200 photos, on a scale of 1-7, according to how close to the mesomorph type each was
- Half the photos were college students and half were juvenile delinquents- delinquents had higher average rating as mesomorph.
- From his study, Sheldon found that many convicts were mesomorphic and least likely to be ectomorphic.
- Ectomorphs- more likely to commit suicide.
- Mesomorphic- more likely to engage in crime.
- Endomorphs- more likely yo be mentally ill.
- Correlational study- asking people to rate 200 photos, on a scale of 1-7, according to how close to the mesomorph type each was
- Credibility
- Scientific links between testosterone and muscle mass, could be a link between testosterone and aggression.
- Large sample (200) and had a control group of students to link his theory to.
- The study is androcentric (focused on men).
- This theory is deterministic and reductionist.
- Analysis
- The theory applies to the Kray Twins and Ted Bundy.
- However, the theory doesn't apply to Dennis Nilsen and Al Capone.
- Refuting Evidence
- Theory suggests we are bad and can't change.
- Body types can change!
- Sheldon couldn't explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminal.
- This could discriminate social classes. Working class males are more likely to be muscular and therefore fit the mesomorph somatotype.
- This can cause bias and labelling of mesomorphs in courts.
- Supporting Evidence
- A number of other studies have confirmed an association between bodily build and criminality.
- Putwain and Sammons,2002.
- Glueck and Glueck, 1956.
- Found that 60% mesomorphs in their sample of delinquents, but only 31% in their sample of non-delinquents.
- A number of other studies have confirmed an association between bodily build and criminality.
- Facts
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