Lombroso's Criminology Theory: The Origins of Criminality

Factors that influence criminal behavior is a subject that has plagued humanity since the period of civilization. Researchers have established theoretical theories to explain the origin and influence of criminal behavior in a person; however, no conclusion has been met on the best theory, biosocial and biological, best explains whether criminal behavior is passed down. The study of criminology has embraced a scientific approach to come up with answers regarding criminal behavior inheritance. While different people have specific reasons for committing a crime, criminologists have established a likelihood of predominant overarching factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Lombroso's theory on criminal behavior explores the relationship between criminal behavior and lifeline lineage. The theory explores why criminal behavior cannot be passed down like other physical features and perhaps argues that criminal behavior is biologically inferior (Merton et al., 2013). Lombroso was the first person to study criminal behavior using scientific research to explore crime and its attributes. Before establishing Lombroso's theory on criminal behavior, people believed that criminality was inherited and genetic traits. Lombroso disapproved of this belief with the founding of "born criminal theory." Psychological and biological studies by researchers have shed light on crime by conducting research studies and establishing crucial information regarding the nature of criminal behavior. Although their popularity has been due to controversial ideological nature and scientific merit, some sentiments expressed in the criminology theories provide crucial information on crime. In addition to Lombroso’s theory on criminal behavior, Charles Goring also showed interest in criminal behavior by refuting some information earlier provided by Lombroso. According to Merton et al. (2013), criminals and non-criminals are qualitatively comparable and expressed a criminal as an innately pathological person. Crime is a normative concept, and most biological theories do not understand that an act deemed "criminal" in one place can be considered noble and legal elsewhere. Despite the shortcomings associated with Lombroso's criminology theory, it is crucial to note the differential patterns he provides as criminal behavior necessities. Lombroso's influence in the study of crime cannot be ignored; he provided a substantial basis for the current researchers to base their studies on and provided the first-ever reliable information in the discipline of criminology. Contemporary criminology researchers and scientists borrow ideas and concepts from Lombroso’s theory on criminal behavior to make critical decisions regarding criminals, and to provide assistance to criminals seeking behavioral intervention. As Goring disputes some arguments presented by Lombroso on how criminal behavior is biologically influenced, he backs-up the argument that criminal behavior is not passed down like physical features are. In an attempt to investigate the existing association between a criminal diathesis and the immediate environment, training, and criminal attributes, Goring employed the use of two scales where the degree of criminality could be expressed (Merton et al., 2013). The research study was based on incarcerated persons who played the respondent's role; the primary objective was to establish whether the jailed persons' families had a history of criminal behavior. The results implied that criminal behavior is not connected to family lineage in any way. Most of the criminal respondents had their families free from criminal behavior and attributes, while few families showed a criminal behavior history. This research study backed-up Lombroso's theory that criminal behavior is not passed down similarly to physical features. Unfortunately, Goring was unable to compare based on every individuals' traits due to the paucity of non-convict population data. In conclusion, it is impossible to identify a criminal using physical appearance as criminal behavior is not a physical behavior but an innate attribute. Unlike physical features, criminal behavior properties are inbuild in some cases while others develop the behavior with time. 

References 

Merton, R., & Ashley-Montagu, M. (2013). Crime and the Anthropologist. American Anthropologist, 42 (3), new series, 384-408. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/663230