Biological Determinism: The Search Biological Determinism: The Search for Criminal Traitsfor Criminal Traits

PhysiognomyPhysiognomy: The study of facial features : The study of facial features and their relation to human behaviour.and their relation to human behaviour.

Giambattisti della Porta suggested that a Giambattisti della Porta suggested that a thief had large lips and sharp vision.thief had large lips and sharp vision.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.

By 19th century, these sciences introduced specific biological factors into the study of crime causation

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PhrenologyPhrenology

Posited that bumps Posited that bumps on the head were on the head were indications of indications of psychological psychological propensities. propensities.

Franz Joseph Gall & Franz Joseph Gall & Johann Kaspar Johann Kaspar Spurzheim.Spurzheim.

A criminological examination A criminological examination according to an 1890 caricature.according to an 1890 caricature.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO3

The Italian SchoolThe Italian School

LombrosoLombroso Replaced the concept of free will with that of Replaced the concept of free will with that of

determinism.determinism. The ‘born criminal’ and atavistic stigmata – physical The ‘born criminal’ and atavistic stigmata – physical

features of criminals at an earlier stage of features of criminals at an earlier stage of development before they became fully human.development before they became fully human.

Added two categories to the born criminal: Insane Added two categories to the born criminal: Insane criminals and criminoloids.criminals and criminoloids.

Insane are not criminal from birth; become criminal Insane are not criminal from birth; become criminal from a change in their brains.from a change in their brains.

Criminoloids make up a groups that includes habitual Criminoloids make up a groups that includes habitual criminals, criminals by passion and other diverse criminals, criminals by passion and other diverse types.types.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO3

FerriFerri Agreed with biological bases of criminal behaviour.Agreed with biological bases of criminal behaviour. Also recognized importance of social, economic, and Also recognized importance of social, economic, and

political determinants.political determinants. Key: adherence to preventive measures based on Key: adherence to preventive measures based on

scientific methods.scientific methods. GarofaloGarofalo

Study of crime through scientific methods.Study of crime through scientific methods. Look to psychological or ‘moral anomalies’ for roots of Look to psychological or ‘moral anomalies’ for roots of

criminal behaviour.criminal behaviour.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.

The Italian SchoolThe Italian School

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Challenges to Lombrosian TheoryChallenges to Lombrosian Theory

Charles GoringCharles Goring: Offered the major challenge to : Offered the major challenge to Lombrosian theory.Lombrosian theory.

Studied 3,000 convicts and compared them to Studied 3,000 convicts and compared them to Oxford and Cambridge University students, hospital Oxford and Cambridge University students, hospital patients, and soldiers .patients, and soldiers .

His research assistant was Karl Pearson, a famous His research assistant was Karl Pearson, a famous statistician.statistician.

Successfully disputed Lombroso’s claim of a born Successfully disputed Lombroso’s claim of a born criminal with the data that he collected.criminal with the data that he collected.

©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO3

Return to Biological DeterminismReturn to Biological Determinism Somatotype schoolSomatotype school: related body build to behaviour.: related body build to behaviour.

Kretschmer’s three physiques: asthenic, athletic & pyknicKretschmer’s three physiques: asthenic, athletic & pyknic Sheldon’s three physiques: endomorph, mesomorph, Sheldon’s three physiques: endomorph, mesomorph,

ectomorphectomorph• MESOMORPHS said to be more likely to be involved in MESOMORPHS said to be more likely to be involved in

criminal behaviour (physically powerful, aggressive, athletic criminal behaviour (physically powerful, aggressive, athletic physiques)physiques)

Glueck & Glueck: conducted studies on delinquents based on Glueck & Glueck: conducted studies on delinquents based on Sheldon’s somatotypesSheldon’s somatotypes

Eugenics – the science of controlled reproduction to improve Eugenics – the science of controlled reproduction to improve hereditary qualities.hereditary qualities.

Inherited CriminalityInherited Criminality Richard Dugdale studied the Jukes family.Richard Dugdale studied the Jukes family. Long list of criminals in Jukes family led theorists like Dugdale Long list of criminals in Jukes family led theorists like Dugdale

to research a ‘degenerate trait’ to research a ‘degenerate trait’ ©2012 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. LO3