SOC 319 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-10: Cesare Lombroso, Trait Theory, High Crime

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 319
• Professor: Stephen Muzzatti

Document Summary

All true knowledge is acquired through direct observation and not through conjecture or belief, statements that cannot be backed up by direct observation are invalid. The scientific method must be used if research findings are to be considered valid. People are a product of their social and psychological traits, influenced by their upbringing and environment. Cesare lombroso: he believed that serious criminals were born criminals who inherited a set of primitive physical traits referred to as atavistic anomalies; they were throwbacks to more primitive savages. Lo(cid:373)(cid:271)roso"s (cid:449)ork is regarded as histori(cid:272)al (cid:272)uriosit(cid:455), (cid:374)ot s(cid:272)ie(cid:374)tifi(cid:272) fa(cid:272)ts: biological determinism has been discredited because it is methodologically flawed. The validity of a purely biological explanation of criminality is no longer valid. Environmental conditions act with human traits to influence behaviour, hence biosocial theory. Environment, traits and crime: all theorists recognize that environmental conditions in the inner city have a powerful influence on antisocial behaviour.