explanations for criminal behaviour

explanations for criminal behaviour

1. Physiological Explanation

   • Sheldon (1942) - Body Types Sheldon identified three different body types: Ectopmorphs - thin, fragile, introverted, and restrained Mesomorphs - Muscular, aggressive, adventurous, and criminal Endomorphs - Fat, soft, and relaxed he proposed that mesomorphs are more likely to be criminals. Flaw: Sheldon found a difference of body types between students and delinquents though there was no evidence to support this theory Opposing Sheldon: - operant conditioning could be a factor, achievement via force rather than hard work - Self-fulfilling prophecy ( i have been told i am like this, therefore i will become it) Poor backgrounds (people from a poorer background, more labour, less food, more likely to be a certain body type
   • Lombroso - Natural selection and primitive features If criminal behaviour has a physiological cause, it must be controlled genetically as a product of evolution Lombroso believed that criminals would have similar, more primitive features than other people: Prominent jaw, brow ridges, and large ears. though he also believed that the environment can impact the person's development, he saw prisons as criminal universities.
   • XYY mutation the mutation of the chromosomes to cause XYY causes higher aggression in men by increasing levels of testosterone 0.001% of the population have it, 1.5% of prison inmates have it