Sociology 2266A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Cesare Lombroso, Atavism, Impulsivity
10 Apr 2020
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Trait theories argue criminals have physical or mental traits that make them abnormal. Early biological theorists focus on physical characteristics. Modern day trait theorists argue there is not 1 single factor to explain all criminality. Looking at pre-dispositions, increasing or decreasing likeliness of criminal behaviour. Current: not born criminal, could have things that increase likelihood. Compared physical features of decent" soldiers and features of indecent" (violent, aggressive, impulsive) soldiers. Looked at physical characteristics wanted to know what differentiated the 2 categories. Believed there were physical clues we could look at. Argued that soldiers with sloping foreheads, bushy eyebrows, abnormal bodies, ears were more likely to be criminal. Criminals were less evolved (atavism) than the rest and they were more likely to engage in criminal behaviour. Tattooing also a sign that someone was less evolved and more likely to be criminal (sign of primitive) Argued this because tattoos are painful and only primitive people would undergo that.
