Biological and psychological theories of crime

Biological and Psychological Theory of Crime

CESARE LOMBROSO THEORY

Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909) came up with the crime theory that has undergone several testing, retesting, evaluation, writing and rewriting in order to demystify the reasons behind the occurrences of crime. In theorizing, Lombroso argued that most criminals arise as a result of biological throwbacks (Robert, 2010). As such, Lombroso attests to the Darwinism theory, whereby what one generation does gets enhanced in the next generation.

In his studies, Lombroso identifies three different kinds of criminals based on different identification criteria. The first kind represents the criminals-by birth group (atavists) (Robert, 2010). This group carries all the criminals classified as "born criminals." This class represents a criminal group more primitive than the other human types. They represent one third of criminals and get recognized through their physical attributes. As such, through conducting a physical assessment of individuals, the ease of using this classification method stands out (Carra & Barale, 2004).

Some of the stigmata used in identification include the lack of symmetry of head, large lips, a chin that recedes, large ears that resemble those ones as of monkeys and a twisted nose. Other attributes include long and big arms, cheek bones that are excess, skin with wrinkles and extra digits on the hands or feet. Lambroso puts it that if a male has five or more of the above attributes, then that person is an atavist. On the other hand, if three or more feature in females, then they exhibit atavistic features (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006).

The second group of criminals occurs as non-atavists. This group constitutes those people who occasionally engage in crime. As such, they do not engage in crime most of their times except when the "urge" arises (Robert, 2010). Under this group, there are two divisions: pseudo-criminals and Criminaloids. Pseudo-criminals commit crimes that, to the moral sense, do not constitute crimes, like violation of traffic rules (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006). In a moral standing, these group of criminals do not get charged harshly.

The second division, criminaloids, forms the larger group of present day criminals. They commit crimes due to the fact that they get influenced by the adverse environment in which they live (Robert, 2010). There are no physical attributes or characteristics that may aid in their physical identification, and, as such, occurs more in a laid-back manner. They do not suffer from any mental disorders, thereby, enhancing their occurrence as more of "psychopathic personalities" (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006).

Lambroso gives the third group of criminals as those who commit crimes by passion (Carra & Barale, 2004). He implies that passion for crime and the "thrill" it offers them makes people commit crimes. These criminals do not fall into any of the atavistic or occasional criminal divisions due to the reasons that push them into crime (Hagan, 2011). Whereas atavists may commit crimes due to their physiological attributes, "passionate criminals" engage crimes of their own make (C. Bartol & a. Bartol, 2006).

The first advantage in the Lambroso theory lies in the physicality of determining criminal. The attributes that underlines atavists may trigger a trend of caution while dealing with people with the characteristics given. This precaution trend may lessen crime in instances where early detection is done through careful handling of the atavists. With the understanding that physical attributes may relate to chances of committing crimes, reform campaigns may get directed to this group of people to enhance secure communities.

Another advantage arises from the understanding that in communities where crime rates occur at an all-time high, more people tend to commit crimes due to the influence of the adverse environment they live in. In trying to fit into society, people relate with one another. If situations arise where most people lead criminal lives, then more people are prone to join in the vice. Therefore, zoning is done with the zoning criteria being areas prone to crime (Einstadter & Henry, 2006). Campaigns against crime can thus get directed to these areas to eradicate occurrences of more crimes.