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Biological Theories (Physiological Theory) : Sheldon - Coggle Diagram
Biological Theories (Physiological Theory) : Sheldon
Sheldon (1949)
developed a theory that
linked criminal behavior to a persons physical form.
He argued that a
persons body shape correlated to their personality.
From a study of several hundred different male body types, he identified
three body types or somatotypes
:
Ectomorphs
- thin and fragile body type who are shy and/or introverts
Endomorphs
- fat and soft body type who were sociable and/or relaxed. Such people were relaxed and pleasure loving, and enjoy food and the company of othes
Mesomorphs
- solid and muscular body who were aggressive. Such people have a high pain tolerance, and are careless and callous of the feelings of others
His key findings was that
many criminals prone to committing violent and aggressive acts were mesomorphic
, and the
least likely were ectomorphic
. Sheldon used a
sample of 200 photographs
of
college students
and
200 photographs of male delinquents
on a scale of 1 (not mesomorphic at all) to 7 (extremely mesomorphic). An average body would be rated 4 in somatotypes and such a build would be seen as balanced
Here are the results
Ectomorph
: Students (3.41.8) and Delinquents (1.8)
Endomorph
: Students (3.2) and Delinquents (3.4)
Mesomorph
: Students (3.8) and Delinquents (5.4)
The results demonstrate to Sheldon that the
student group had an average somatotype,
whereas the
delinquent group were much more mesomorphic
. In his view, mesomorphic people are more
likely to be attracted to the risk taking element of crime,
and their imposing physique and assertiveness can be important asset in crime.
Strengths
Sheldon's work has been supported by further studies such as Glueck and Glueck (1950) who found that
60% of the offenders in their study were mesomorphs
A
good sized sample
was used and importantly, Sheldon had an equally
good sized control group to compare the results
Limitations
A link between body types and aggression could be because
people of a muscular build learn they can get their own way by being aggressive,
which means they are more
likely to break the law
.
The
criminal justice system may respond negatively to those who look 'tough'
rather than their 'scrawny' counterparts.
Sheldon
does not explain how ectomorphs and endomorphs can also be criminals,
nor does he explain whether mesomorphs commit others crimes besides violence
Sheldon does not take into account that peoples
somatotypes can change
throughout their life
Social class may be the true cause of crime.
Convicted offenders are mainly working-class males, who are likely to be manual jobs where they acquire an athletic build