PSYC39H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Frequency-Dependent Selection, Smoking And Pregnancy, Body Fluid
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What makes a strong theory: a theory is simply an explanation of a particular phenomenon (such as antisocial behavior, a strong theory is, parsimonious, clearly identifies the casual mechanisms and corresponding mediators & Is testable and hence falsifiable via hypotheses & predictions. Is based on empirical data & is modified in response to new data: possesses interdisciplinary compatibility, respects gender, ethnicity, and culture. Said criminals had distinctive features (referred to them as atavisms) such as sloping forheads & twisted lips which weren"t observed in normal subjects. Also said that they had more in common with neanderthals than modern day man". Remains father of criminology: charles darwin had published his theory of natural selection several years before. Lombroso: francis galton (darwin"s cousin) founded eugenics misused natural selection; thousands of people were forced sterilization because they were unfit to reproduce and also for atrocities that occurred under hitler"s regime forced abortion, sterilization, and death camps.
