SOCB50H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Criminal Type, Phrenology, Physiognomy
Document Summary
Old scientific approach in crim theory emphasized physical and biological abnormality as the distinguishing mark of the criminal. Ancient origin; belief that unusual physical characteristics mark off the evil and socially obnoxious person: physiognomy and phrenology. Joseph gall >> developed the doctrines of phrenology he listed 26 special faculties of philoprogenitiveness, and combativeness . Criticism of phrenology: hypothetical no verifiable data so theory was abandoned. Lombroso>> theory that the physical characteristics were simply indicator of inadequacy and degeneracy. Evolutionary theory indicates the nature of the degeneracy: (atavistic) criminal type resembled lower or more apelike ancestors, and their physical characteristics were assumed to belong to these earlier evolutionary forms. Atavistic type of person: lower propensities: amativeness, Crime was said to involve the swollen . Asymmetry of face, eye defects, deviation in head size and shape, excessive dimensions of jaw and cheekbones, unusual ear size, nose twisted, lips fleshy or.
