Biological theories of crime

Created by: saffron109
Created on: 02-03-23 13:48

Who is Lombroso?

Considered the 'Father of Criminology' and was the first person to use scientific measurements.

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What did Lombroso argue?

That criminals are genetic throwbacks which cannot conform to the rules of society and they're distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics.

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What were the features of a criminal?

-Strong, prominent jaw
-High cheekbones
-Dark skin
-Extra toes or fingers.

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What were the features of a murderer?

-Bloodshot eyes
-Curly hair
-Long ears

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What were the features of Sexual Deviants?

-Glinting eyes
-Swollen, fleshy lips

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What were the features of a fraudster?

Thin and reedy lips

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Other non-physical traits

-Unemployment
-Tattoos
-Use of criminal slang

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What are the strengths of this theory?

-Lombroso challenged the idea that criminals are evil or that they choose to be criminal.
-Charles Goring(1913) found a low-order intelligence in convicts, suggesting some genetic base to criminology.
-Several pieces of research suggest that less attracti

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What are the weaknesses of this theory?

-lack of control group- so no comparisons can be made to the appearance of the wider society.
-Scientific racism-DeLisi(2012) indicated that many of the atavistic features defined are specific to people of African descent.
-extremely deterministic

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What did Lombroso argue?

Back

That criminals are genetic throwbacks which cannot conform to the rules of society and they're distinguishable by particular facial and cranial characteristics.

Card 3

Front

What were the features of a criminal?

Back

Card 4

Front

What were the features of a murderer?

Back

Card 5

Front

What were the features of Sexual Deviants?

Back

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Biological theories of crime