Biological explanations: Atavistic form AO3 MAID Contribution to criminology Scientific racism Contradictory evidence P: On strength of the atavistic P: The atavistic form had been P: One weakness of the atavistic form as a n explanation for criticised as Lombroso’s work has form as an explanation to offending is that it has been very distinct racial undertones. offending is that it has influential. Lombroso has been E: For example, many of the contradictory evidence. hailed as the ‘father of features that Lombroso identified E: For example, Goring (1913) criminology’ as criminal and atavistic, such as conducted a comparison between E: For example, Lombroso has curly hair and dark skin, are most 3000 criminals and 3000 been credited as shifting the likely to be found among people and concluded there emphasis in crime research away of African descent. was no evidence that offenders from a moralistic discourse E: This is a weakness because it is are a distinct group with unusual (within which offenders were an uncomfortable and facial and cranial characteristics. judged as being wicked weak controversial aspect and is up to E: This is a weakness as it minded)towards a more scientific debate whether Lombroso questions the key element of the and credible realm (that of intended this to be the case or atavistic form that criminals are evolutionary influences and not. different in terms of their genetics). L: Consequently, the credibility of appearance. E: This is a strength because the atavistic form as an L: As a result the explanatory Lombroso’s theory, in many ways, explanation for offending is power of Lombroso’s research is heralded the beginning of decreased. questioned which reduces the criminal profiling and made a credibility of the atavistic form as major contribution to the science an explanation for offending is of criminology. increased. L: As a result the credibility of the atavistic form as an explanation for offending is increased.
Biological explanations: Atavistic form AO3 Contribution to criminology P: On strength of the atavistic form as a n explanation for offending is that it has been very influential. Lombroso has been hailed as the ‘father of criminology’ E: For example, Lombroso has been credited as shifting the emphasis in crime research away from a moralistic discourse (within which offenders were judged as being wicked weak minded)towards a more scientific and credible realm (that of evolutionary influences and genetics). E: This is a strength because Lombroso’s theory, in many ways, heralded the beginning of criminal profiling and made a major contribution to the science of criminology. L: As a result the credibility of the atavistic form as an explanation for offending is increased. Scientific racism P: The atavistic form had been criticised as Lombroso’s work has distinct racial undertones. E: For example, many of the features that Lombroso identified as criminal and atavistic, such as curly hair and dark skin, are most likely to be found among people of African descent. E: This is a weakness because it is an uncomfortable and controversial aspect and is up to debate whether Lombroso intended this to be the case or not. L: Consequently, the credibility of the atavistic form as an explanation for offending is decreased. Contradictory evidence P: One weakness of the atavistic form as an explanation to offending is that it has contradictory evidence. E: For example, Goring (1913) conducted a comparison between 3000 criminals and 3000 and concluded there was no evidence that offenders are a distinct group with unusual facial and cranial characteristics. E: This is a weakness as it questions the key element of the atavistic form that criminals are different in terms of their appearance. L: As a result the explanatory power of Lombroso’s research is questioned which reduces the credibility of the atavistic form as an explanation for offending is increased. MAID