Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

NAME: __________________________ WEEK 3

SUBJECT CODE: CRIM 2 TITLE: THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the Biological theories.

Hi, there! I hope all is well. Today we will discuss the biological theories of crime
causation. Before we proceed to our new lesson let’s have a short review. Let’s get
started!

Topic: BIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Overview

Our lesson for this week is about the groups of theories which claimed that physical
appearance reveals the characters in a manner that criminals have distinctive criminal
physical characteristics that makes them identifiable as criminal offenders.

Question: Do you know what are Biological theories all about?

Answer: Biological theories promoted the notion that people’s behavior bears
some relationship to their biological constitution. Lately, a biological theory which
emphasizes biological variations within the normal range has begun to include
the interplay of biological, social and psychological variables in crime and
delinquency.

After discussing what is meant by Biological theories, let’s talk about the
different Biological theories. Read the following theories.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

1. LOMBROSIAN THEORY
This theory was introduced by Cesare Lombroso in 1876,
the father of modern Criminology.
He believed that certain physical features identified the
NOTE:
convict in prison as a ―born criminal‖. The born criminal is an
―atavism‖. “ATAVISM”
He maintained that a born criminal could be identified by
simply means that
the possession of certain visible stigmata.
he has physical
Examples: Asymmetry of the face, or head, large monkey make-up, mental
like ears, receding chin and others. capabilities, and
instinct of primitive
man.

NOTE:

Lombroso was criticized for his theory because he based only on his findings from
examining criminals. He did not conducted studies on non-criminal offenders’
characters. Therefore, there is no valid comparison as to the difference between the
physical characteristics of criminals and none—criminals.

2. GENERAL INFERIORITY THEORY

 It was advocated by Ernest Hooton, a Harvard anthropologist.
 He argued that criminals are inferior to civilians in nearly all of their bodily
measurements.
 He likewise stated that low foreheads indicated inferiority.
 He further stated that crime exist because there are some inferior people who are
responsible for them.

NOTE: Some of the descriptions of inferior people who are potential criminals includes
the following;
 Sneaky, little, constitutional inferiors.
 Wiry, narrow, hard-bitten, tough and not notably undersized.
 Men with low mediocre body builds are people who tend to break the law without
preference
 He proposed that criminals should be permanently exiled to self-governing
reservation, isolated from the society and sterilized to prevent future offspring’s.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

3. SOMATOTYPING THEORY
 It was advocated by William Sheldon whose ideas were concentrated on the
―Survival of the Fittest‖ as a behavioral science.
 He believed that inheritance was the primary determinants of one’s behavior and
the body physique was a reliable indicator of personality.
 He classified people in three ways as follows:

E Endomorphs (romonotic) – heavy built

body, manifest extroverted personality, which
commonly committed fraud.

M Mesomorphs ( viscerotonic)– athletic body

built, manifest the probability of such person to
physical injury.

E Ectomorphs ( cerebrotonic) – tall and thin,

manifest introvert personality that most often
committing petty crimes.

NOTE:

Crime exists because there are mesomorphic men that are responsible for its occurrence.

4. GENETICS THEORY
 This theory states that people who have abnormal genetic structure
or chromosomal activities commit crimes
 .The theory explains that the behavior of violent male criminals is
the proposal of a chromosomal abnormality in whichsuch males
have an XYY, instead of XY, male chromosomal pattern.
 The extra Y chromosome, so goes the hypothesis turns these
criminals into super males.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Activity # 1

Briefly discuss the ―Atavistic Theory‖.

Answer:

Activity # 2
Fill in the blanks. Choose your answer below. Write the letter of your choice before the number.
A. Cesare Lombroso B. E. Hooton C. Somatotyping

D. General Inferiority Theory E. Biological Theories F. Genetic Theory

___1. He proposed that criminals should be permanently exiled to self-governing

reservation,
isolated from the society and sterilized to prevent future offspring’s.
___2. These are groups of theories which claimed that physical appearance reveals the
characters in a manner that criminals have distinctive criminal physical characteristics
that makes them identifiable as delinquents or criminal offenders.
___3. This theory states that people who have abnormal genetic structure or
chromosomal
activities commit crimes and delinquency.
___4. This theory was advocated by Ernest Hooton, a Harvard anthropologist.
___5. He believed that certain physical features identified the convict in prison as a
―born criminal‖.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

References:

Teacher Prepared Material

Reid, Titus S., Crime and Criminology (9th Edition). McGraw-Hill 2000
Siegel, L.J. (2004), Criminology Theories, Patterns, Typologies (8 th ed.)
Eduardo, Jesster P., Juvenile Delinquency RMC Publishing Haus 2013
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Prepared by:

Odessa G. Lacanilao
COC, Faculty