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REACTION PAPER ON THEORIES RELATED TO PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

This theories related to physical appearance, also referred to as sociobiology,


was a concept developed by the criminologist Cesare Lombroso that offers a biological
explanation for criminal deviance. His theory states that criminal deviance is inherited
and this inheritance is visible in the shape of the human skull. Through biological
determinism Lombroso attempted to show that physical traits would be determinants of
criminal behavior. His ideas were part of the 19th century movement known as
positivism. This is not perfectly true since it is also the society that shapes human
behavior.

Lombroso applied positivism to the field of criminology in an attempt to create a


field of study known as criminal anthropology. Criminal anthropology was based on the
earlier work of Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution and Lombroso s theory of
atavism. Drawing on Darwin s theory of natural selection, Lombroso reasoned that, in
any population, a small number of individuals were likely to exhibit extremely primitive
instincts and that they would have difficulty functioning in a civilized culture. They were,
in effect, evolutionary throwbacks, or atavistic anomalies as Lombroso termed them. In
early human societies, individuals with atavistic traits were more likely to be fit for
survival. A strong desire to kill, for example, would have made them successful hunters
and desirable mates. However, in civilized urban Europe, atavism, the reversion to
evolutionarily primitive traits, was highly likely to cause criminal behavior.

Assuming that Nevet and Begonia are the same age and may be twins since
they are graduating at the same time, this theory would explain that the behavior
exhibited by the children was a result of their skull structure. Since they are brother and
sister their skull structure is more than unlikely to be relatively similar. However, for this
theory to hold as true, there needs to be evidence that their parents also had atavistic
traits or behavior or a past criminal behavior. Since there is no evidence of either,
this theory cannot be legitimately used to explain their behavior.

REPORTERS PRESENTATION ON THEORIES RELATED TO PHYSICAL


APPEARANCE

In the earliest pursuit of the relationship between biological traits and behavior, a
Greek scientist who examined Socrates found his skull and facial features to be
those of a person inclined towards alcoholism and brutality.
The ancient Greeks and Romans so distrusted red hair, that actors portraying
evil persons wore red wings.

Indeed, in the Middle Ages laws indicated that if two people were suspected of a
crime, the uglier was the more likely to be guilty.

In the earliest pursuit of the relationship between biological traits and behavior, a
Greek scientist who examined Socrates found his skull and facial features to be
those of a person inclined towards alcoholism and brutality.

The ancient Greeks and Romans so distrusted red hair, that actors portraying
evil persons wore red wigs.

Indeed, in the Middle Ages laws indicated that if two people were suspected of a
crime, the uglier was the more likely to be guilty.

Later on, they were elaborated by German physicians Franz Joseph Gall(1758-
1828), and Johann Kaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832), whose science of
phrenology posited that bumps on the head were indications of psychological
behavior.

In the United States, these views were supported by physician Charles Caldwell
(1772-1853), who searched for evidence that brain tissue and cells regulate
human action.

By the nineteenth century, the science of physiognomy and phrenology had


introduced specific biological factors into the study of crime causation.

In the theory of Cesare Lombroso, the born criminal, states that criminals are a
lower form of life, nearer to their ape like ancestors than non-criminals in traits
and dispositions.

They are distinguishable from noncriminals by various atavistic stigmata -


physical features of creatures at an earlier stage of development before they
became fully human.

Crime therefore, resulted not from what criminals had in common with others in
society, but from their distinctive physical or mental defects.

He argued that criminals frequently have huge jaws and strong canine teeth,
characteristics common to carnivores who tear and devour meat raw.

The arm span of criminals is often greater than their height, just like that of apes,
who use their forearms to propel themselves along the ground.

An individual born with any five of the stigmata is a born criminal.


The Somatotyping Theory

The somatotype school of criminology, which related body build to behavior


became popular during first half of the twentieth century.

It originated with the work of a German psychiatrist, Ernest Kretschemer (188-


1964), who distinguished three principal types of physiques: (1) asthenic (2)
athletic (3) pyknic.

He then related these physical types to various psychic disorders.

The somatotype school of criminology, which related body build to behavior


became popular during first half of the twentieth century.

It originated with the work of a German psychiatrist, Ernest Kretschemer (188-


1964), who distinguished three principal types of physiques: (1) asthenic (2)
athletic (3) pyknic.

He then related these physical types to various psychic disorders.

Ectomorphy

is fragile, thin, and delicate. They tend to look more fatigue and withdrawn.

Associated personality traits:

Socially anxious

Emotionally restrained

Mesomorphy

tends to be muscular , strong, heavy boned, and firm. They are the people who are
routinely active and aggressive, and most likely found as criminal types.

Associated personality traits: Assertive, bold, Zest for physical activity, adncompetitive

Endomorphy

Has a predominance of soft roundness throughout the body. Persons with


typically relaxed and comfortable dispositions.

Associated Personality Traits:

Love of comfort, Love of food, tolerant

Sheldon used his classifications to show that body types were related to behavior,
temperament, and even life expectancy.

Sheldons Somatotyping Theory maintains the belief of inheritance as the primary


determinants of behavior and the physique is a reliable indicator of personality.

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