Physiological Theories of Crime
Lombroso's Theory of Criminal Anthropology
Cesare Lombroso, considered one of the pioneers in the scientific study of criminality, developed the Lombroso theory which proposed that criminals could be identified by specific physical features. This theory was based on several assumptions:
- Physiological Assumption: Physical traits cause criminality
- Genetic Assumption: Criminality is inherited
- Brain Injury Assumption: Abnormalities in the brain lead to criminal behavior
- Biochemical Assumption: Hormones and chemicals influence criminal tendencies
Vocabulary: Atavistic - Lombroso used this term to describe criminals as less evolved individuals.
Lombroso identified features such as large jaws, high cheekbones, and flat noses as indicators of criminal tendencies. He even linked specific features to types of crimes, such as a beaked nose to murderers.
Example: According to the Lombroso theory, a person with a beaked nose might be more likely to commit murder.
Strengths of Lombroso's Theory:
- Pioneered the scientific study of crime
- Led to increased focus on examining criminal records
- Shifted focus towards reforming prisoners rather than purely punishing them
Weaknesses of Lombroso's Theory:
- Lacked a control group for comparison with the general population
- Relied solely on his own research without secondary sources
- Later research found no link between facial features and criminality
Highlight: The Lombroso theory strengths and weaknesses demonstrate both its historical importance and its scientific limitations.
Sheldon's Somatotype Theory
William Sheldon developed a theory linking body types somatotypes to personality traits and criminal behavior. He identified three main body types:
- Ectomorph: Thin, lean, low muscle and body fat
- Mesomorph: Muscular, strong limbs, broad shoulders
- Endomorph: Round, lack of muscle, wide hips
Definition: Somatotypes are categories of human body types proposed by William Sheldon.
Sheldon's research involved rating photographs of college students and juvenile offenders on a scale of 1 to 7 for how "mesomorphic" they appeared. He concluded that mesomorphs were most likely to commit crimes, while ectomorphs were least likely.
Example: According to Sheldon's somatotypes theory, a muscular person mesomorph might be more prone to criminal behavior than a thin person ectomorph.
Strengths of Sheldon's Theory:
- Used a large sample size and included a control group
- Some later studies found links between physique and crime
- Glueck 1956 found a higher percentage of mesomorphs among delinquents compared to non-delinquents
Weaknesses of Sheldon's Theory:
- Body types change throughout a person's life
- Cannot explain criminal behavior in endomorphs and ectomorphs
- Cultural factors influencing body types were not considered
Highlight: The strengths and weaknesses of Sheldon's theory reveal both its contributions to criminology and its limitations in explaining the complex nature of criminal behavior.
Both the Lombroso theory and Sheldon's somatotypes theory are important in the history of biological theories of crime. While largely discredited today, they paved the way for more sophisticated research into the biological factors that may influence criminal behavior.
