Cesare Lombroso: Theory of Crime, Criminal Man and Atavism

Summary

In this video, Marcus from criminologyweb.com explores the life and theories of Cesare Lombroso, an Italian physician and the father of modern criminology. Lombroso's groundbreaking work, *The Criminal Man*, introduced the idea that certain physical traits could indicate a predisposition to crime, suggesting that criminals were atavistic throwbacks to earlier stages of human evolution. His research involved detailed studies of offenders' physical characteristics and included considerations of environmental influences. Despite significant criticism of his theories, Lombroso's work has influenced contemporary discussions on the biological aspects of criminal behavior.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cesare Lombroso was an Italian doctor born in 1835, known for his contributions to criminology.
• 😀 His most famous work is 'The Criminal Man,' published in 1876, where he introduced the concept of criminal anthropology.
• 😀 Lombroso's theory suggested that 'born criminals' possess specific physical characteristics, termed atavistic traits.
• 😀 Atavistic characteristics include features such as asymmetric faces, large jaws, and excessively long arms.
• 😀 He conducted extensive research, studying both living offenders and performing autopsies on the deceased to analyze their physical traits.
• 😀 Lombroso's early work focused heavily on biological factors, but he later acknowledged the role of social influences like poverty and alcohol.
• 😀 He is considered the father of modern criminology and a key figure in the positivist school, which uses scientific methods to study crime.
• 😀 Lombroso rejected the notion of free will in criminal behavior, emphasizing external factors influencing individuals.
• 😀 His theories have been criticized for lack of scientific rigor and misinterpretation of findings, leading to a decline in support for atavism.
• 😀 Despite the controversy, Lombroso's ideas have influenced contemporary research on the biological aspects of criminal behavior.

Q & A

Who was Cesare Lombroso?

Cesare Lombroso was an Italian doctor and criminologist, born in 1835 in Verona, known for his work in criminal anthropology and his influential book *The Criminal Man*.

What is the main theory proposed by Lombroso?

Lombroso proposed the theory of criminal anthropology, suggesting that criminals possess certain physical traits or 'atavistic characteristics' that differentiate them from non-criminals.

What does the term 'atavistic' mean in Lombroso's context?

In Lombroso's context, 'atavistic' refers to physical traits that he believed were remnants from earlier stages of human evolution, suggesting that born criminals are throwbacks to more primitive humans.

What kinds of physical characteristics did Lombroso associate with offenders?

Lombroso associated characteristics such as an asymmetric face, a large jaw, excessively long arms, and conditions like epilepsy with offenders.

How did Lombroso conduct his research?

Lombroso conducted detailed studies measuring physical characteristics of offenders and non-offenders, including autopsies on deceased individuals to analyze their skulls and brains.

What other factors did Lombroso eventually consider in his later works?

In later editions of his work, Lombroso considered environmental factors like poverty, alcohol consumption, and gang influence, as well as psychological traits such as lack of remorse.

What was Lombroso's stance on free will?

Lombroso rejected the concept of free will, arguing instead that external factors beyond individual control influenced behavior, aligning with contemporary sociological theories.

What criticisms did Lombroso face regarding his theories?

Lombroso faced criticism for not critically examining his findings, leading to conclusions that are now widely viewed as inaccurate and biased.

How has Lombroso's legacy influenced modern criminology?

While many of Lombroso's specific theories have been discredited, his influence persists in the study of biological and genetic factors related to criminal behavior.

What is the positivist school of criminology, and how is Lombroso related to it?

The positivist school of criminology emphasizes empirical evidence and biological influences in understanding crime. Lombroso is often considered its founder due to his method of using measurements to study criminal behavior.