Theories of Criminal Deviance

A detailed Summary of Theories of Criminal Deviance


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 positivism. 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 a


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 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 can not be legitimately used to explain their behavior.

Durkheim's concept was borrowed from American sociologist Robert Merton in his study of deviance. Merton (1956) analyzed societal strains by pointing out the variety of ways that people might respond to such strain. As the strains occur in all walks of life so too do the (often-deviant) adaptations.

The rebellion response to strain explains Nevet and Begonia's action by offering that they were encouraged to act deviantly because there was so much strain of them to be perfect.

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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 715
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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