Lombroso's Theory: Born Criminals

Lombroso’s Theory: Born Criminals

• Lombroso was an Italian doctor who researched criminals' skulls and faces

• He examined 383 deceased criminal skulls and 3,839 living criminals

• In 1876, Lombroso developed the "born criminals" theory

• Criminals are a separate species, a throwback to primitive humans

• Criminality is determined by physiological traits

Atavistic Features (Inherited Traits)

• Enormous jaws
• High cheekbones
• Large ears
• Long arms
• Large eye sockets
• Dark skin
• Extra toes, nipples, or fingers

Behavioral Traits

• Pre-social behavior

• Inability to control impulses

• Reduced sensitivity to pain

• Lombroso concluded that criminals are not to blame for their actions

• He beleived their behavior is determined by their physiology

Evaluation

• Goring (1913) compared criminals to non-criminals, finding no major differences in research
• This theory gave criminology a scientific foundation
• The theory is simplistic and no longer regarded as correct
• Psychological and environmental factors also play a role
• Doesn't apply to all criminals, as many do not have atavistic features
• Crimes requiring intelligence or skill aren't explained by the theory

Sheldon's Theory: Somatotypes

• Sheldon believed criminals are physically different from non-criminals
• He developed a theory linking body types (somatotypes) to criminal behavior

Three Somatotypes

• Endomorphs have round, soft, fat bodies lacking muscle
• Endomorphs are sociable, relaxed, and outgoing
• Ectomorphs are thin, fragile, lacking fat and muscle
• Ectomorphs are self-conscious and emotionally restrained
• Mesomorphs are muscular, hard-bodied, strong, broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted with very little fat
• Mesomorphs are adventurous, sensation-seeking, assertive, domineering, and physically active

Findings

• Most convicts were mesomorphic
• Ectomorphs were the least likely to commit crimes

Link Between Mesomorphs and Crime

• Inherited traits could lead to criminality
• Mesomorphs are attracted to risk-taking and have a high pain threshold
• They are often callous and ruthless
• Mesomorph traits make them more likely to commit violent crimes like murder
• Mesomorph physique and assertiveness provide advantages in committing crimes

Evaluation

• Glueck & Glueck found that 60% of the offenders in their study were mesomorphs
• One of the first to connect body types to personality and criminal behavior, which helped shape criminology
• The theory is simplistic
• Psychological and environmental aspects also play a role in criminality
• Doesn’t account for endomorphs and ectomorphs also committing crimes
• Fails to explain why women commit crime
• Crimes requiring intelligence or skill aren't explained by the theory

Twin and Adoption Studies Exploring Criminality

• The purpose is to explore whether criminality is inherited

Twin Studies

• Monozygotic (MZ) twins share 100% of their DNA
• Dizygotic (DZ) twins share 50% of their DNA, same as ordinary siblings
• If criminality is genetic, both MZ twins should show similar criminal behavior
• Christiansen’s Study analyzed 3,586 twin pairs in Denmark
• MZ twins: 52% concordance rate, if one twin had a conviction, there was a 52% chance the other did too
• DZ twins: 22% concordance rate, lower likelihood of shared criminality
• There is a genetic link to criminal behavior, especially in violent crimes like murder

Adoption Studies

• Adopted children share genes with biological parents but environment with adoptive parents
• Mednick et al. (1984) analyzed data on 14,000 adopted sons in Denmark (1924–1947)
• Sons with criminal biological parents had a 20% concordance rate for criminal records
• Sons with criminal adoptive parents had a smaller 14.7% concordance rate

Findings

• Stronger genetic link for criminal behavior compared to environmental influence
• If one biological parent commits violent crimes, the offspring is more likely to do the same

Evaluation

• Difficult to examine genes separately from the environment
• These studies showed it's possible and helped understanding of genetics in criminal behavior
• Theory is simplistic
• Criminality cannot be explained by biology alone
• Genetic theories suggest individuals may be genetically predisposed to criminal behavior
• Doesn't mean everyone with certain genetic traits will commit crimes
• Doesn’t explain gang crime well
• Environmental factors like upbringing and peer pressure often play a big role in leading people to join gangs

Jacobs XYY Theory

• Some males have an extra Y chromosome, resulting in XYY instead of XY

Characteristics of XYY males

• Tall
• Well-built
• Low intelligence
• More aggressive and violent than other males, potentially leading to criminal behavior such as murder

Key Evidence

• Jacob et al. found that 1 in 1,000 men in the general population have XYY
• Jacob et al. found 15 in 1,000 men in prison have XYY
• Price & Whatmore (1967) studied imprisoned criminals in secure psychiatric hospitals
• Discovered a higher-than-average proportion of inmates with XYY syndrome
• XYY males were unstable and more likely to commit motiveless property crimes

Evaluation

• Jacob et al. found a clear association between XYY syndrome and violent offenders
• Studies by Price & Whatmore suggest the theory helps explain violent crime well
• Jacobs highlighted that some males may be more aggressive and prone to commit crime, contributing to understanding of criminal behaviour
• The theory is simplistic
• Overemphasizes biology and fails to consider other important factors
• The theory is andocentric, as it ignores women
• Doesn't explain crimes requiring intelligence or skill

Brain Injuries, Diseases, and Biochemical Explanations for Crime

• Prisoners are more likely to have brain injuries in the prefrontal cortex

• Diseases like dementia and brain tumors are linked to antisocial behavior

• Abnormal brainwaves, found using an EEG, are seen in some murderers and psychopaths

• Many criminals have an abnormal amygdala, which controls fear and aggression

• High levels of testosterone can increase aggression and lead to crime

• Low blood sugar and alcohol can trigger aggression and are linked to crime

• Low serotonin and high dopamine levels can lead to aggression, poor decision-making, and criminal behavior

• Poor diet, food additives, and vitamin deficiencies can affect brain chemistry and influence behavior, increasing the likelihood of crime

Biochemical Theories of Crime Control

• Antabuse causes immediate hangover symptoms when alcohol is consumed
  • Has an abstinence rate of more than 50%
  • Requires the person to take the drug willingly; side effects may discourage use
• Methadone is used as a replacement drug to help reduce withdrawal symptoms
  • Helps reduce drug dependence and prevent withdrawal symptoms
  • Doesn't deal with the root cause of addiction, and some users may become dependent on methadone
• Stilbestrol (Chemical Castration) is a female hormone that suppresses testosterone levels
  • Reduces sexual urges in offenders
  • Does not remove fantasies, and effectiveness varies between individuals

Dietary Changes

• Gesch et al Study: Adding vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to prisoner diets
  • Shown to reduce anti-social behavior by 26%
  • Does not completely change behavior and requires long-term commitment
• Vitamin B3 is used to treat schizophrenia, which can be linked to violent behavior
  • Shown to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia and improve mental health
  • Does not work for everyone and does not fully change behavior
• Dietary Adjustments: Removing hyperactivity-inducing foods from children’s diets
  • Can reduce impulsive behavior in children
  • Not a solution for all behavioral issues; other environmental factors play a role

Surgical Interventions

• Surgical Castration is used for sex offenders in Denmark/USA
  • Significantly reduced reoffending rates in some cases
  • Mixed results; considered unethical and cannot be forced in the UK
• Lobotomy cuts the connection between the frontal lobes and the thalamus
  • Previously used to reduce aggression in violent individuals
  • Highly unethical, left patients unable to function, no longer used

Biochemical and Genetic Theories of Crime Control

• Eugenics (Compulsory Sterilisation) was used by the Nazis for "racial purity."
  • Completely unethical, does not address social causes of crime
• Death Penalty (Capital Punishment) is still used in some U.S. states
  • Research shows murder rates are 25% higher in death penalty states than in non-death penalty states
  • Does not deter crime as expected, risk of wrongful executions