Theories of Criminal Deviance

Atavism The theory of atavism, also referred to as sociobiology, was a concept developed by the criminologist Cesare Lombroso (1835 - 1909) 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 …

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