Picture this, you are walking home from a friends house when all of the sudden you are assaulted. Visualize the person who assaulted you. Are they predominately muscular, strong-boned and lean? Is a persons body type even something you would consider when thinking of a reason for the assault? The theory of somatotyping states that a person’s body type is linked to their likelihood of committing a crime or deviant act. Using this theory a connection can be drawn between body type and assault.
Assault in its most simple form can be defined as an attack. But under the Canadian Criminal Code, it can be divided into multiple different sections, such as; assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, sexual assault, …show more content…
Sheldon proposed a biological criminological theory that connected the body types of men to their criminal behaviour. Sheldon’s theory used somatotypes which are the overall shape of a body. Many various characteristics are examined while somatotypes are being analyzed, such as; head size, bone structure, arm and leg length, and muscle development. Using these characteristics, three body type groups were formed. The first group was the endomorphic: heavy-set and soft in appearance, with smooth, soft skin and small bones. The second were the mesomorphic: predominately muscular, strong-boned and lean. Lastly, were the ectomorphic: thin, pale, and delicate, with small bones, fine hair, and sharp noses. Sheldon claimed that no person fell into one sole category and hence made a scale from 1-7 to determine where each person ranked the highest and thus was classified as. In 1949 Sheldon put his theory to the test when comparing the body types of 200 young males who had all previously committed acts of deviance. Inductive reasoning led Sheldon to argue that males who were predominantly mesomorphs, were the men who were naturally more violent and …show more content…
The endomorphs were primarily viscerotonic, which is described as extroverted and easy-going. The mesomorphs were defined as somotonic, meaning assertive in manner and quite active in behaviour. Lastly, the ectomorphs were mainly cerebrotonic, introverted complainers, chronic fatigue and often troubled with insomnia. Moreover, Sheldon used these somatotypes to explain male temperaments and drew a link between mesomorphs and aggressive behaviour.
When applying Sheldon’s theory, you find that mesomorphic males are most commonly the more aggressive and delinquent body type. Similarly, assault is usually an aggressive physical or verbal attack with intent to harm. Sheldon theory allows a connection to be seen between how a mesomorphic male; predominately muscular, strong-boned and lean, can be most likely to assault someone. Being naturally more aggressive in nature and having a stronger and larger build could cause someone to use their body type in addition to their temperament and assault
Assault in its most simple form can be defined as an attack. But under the Canadian Criminal Code, it can be divided into multiple different sections, such as; assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, sexual assault, …show more content…
Sheldon proposed a biological criminological theory that connected the body types of men to their criminal behaviour. Sheldon’s theory used somatotypes which are the overall shape of a body. Many various characteristics are examined while somatotypes are being analyzed, such as; head size, bone structure, arm and leg length, and muscle development. Using these characteristics, three body type groups were formed. The first group was the endomorphic: heavy-set and soft in appearance, with smooth, soft skin and small bones. The second were the mesomorphic: predominately muscular, strong-boned and lean. Lastly, were the ectomorphic: thin, pale, and delicate, with small bones, fine hair, and sharp noses. Sheldon claimed that no person fell into one sole category and hence made a scale from 1-7 to determine where each person ranked the highest and thus was classified as. In 1949 Sheldon put his theory to the test when comparing the body types of 200 young males who had all previously committed acts of deviance. Inductive reasoning led Sheldon to argue that males who were predominantly mesomorphs, were the men who were naturally more violent and …show more content…
The endomorphs were primarily viscerotonic, which is described as extroverted and easy-going. The mesomorphs were defined as somotonic, meaning assertive in manner and quite active in behaviour. Lastly, the ectomorphs were mainly cerebrotonic, introverted complainers, chronic fatigue and often troubled with insomnia. Moreover, Sheldon used these somatotypes to explain male temperaments and drew a link between mesomorphs and aggressive behaviour.
When applying Sheldon’s theory, you find that mesomorphic males are most commonly the more aggressive and delinquent body type. Similarly, assault is usually an aggressive physical or verbal attack with intent to harm. Sheldon theory allows a connection to be seen between how a mesomorphic male; predominately muscular, strong-boned and lean, can be most likely to assault someone. Being naturally more aggressive in nature and having a stronger and larger build could cause someone to use their body type in addition to their temperament and assault