Somatotyping is “a constitutional, or physiological, orientation that found its way into the criminological mainstream during the early and mid-twentieth century,” and is defined as: “classifying according to body types” (Schmalleger). Somatotyping is characteristic of constitutional theories, or theories that believe that criminality can be explained by an individual’s physical traits, genetics, and other observable and measurable physical characteristics. Somatotyping is closely associated with the work of Ernst Kretschmer and William H. Sheldon. The three categories that Kretschmer described are: pyknic (short and fat), asthenic (thin and small), and athletic (muscular and large-boned). William H. Sheldon is another proponent of constitutional theories, and
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Sheldon “studied 200 boys between the ages of 15 and 21 at the Hayden Goodwill Institute in Boston and concluded that four basic body types characterized the entire group,” and through this study Sheldon believes he found the most likely body type to be the body to contain a criminal. Sheldon’s body types are: Mesomorph, Endomorph, Ectomorph, and Balanced type. Mesomorphs were “concluded the most likely to be criminal” (Schmalleger). Mesomorphs are characterized as “athletic and muscular, and large bonded,” Endomorphs are characterized as “soft and round,” overweight; Ectomorphs are described as “thin and fragile ‘poorly muscled extremities,’” and Balanced Type are “average build without being overweight, thin, or overly muscular” (Schmalleger). People believe that attempting to identify criminals prior to their criminal acts is an admirable endeavor, however, it does not seem to have any credence attempting to identify these potential criminals by their physicality, their genetic makeup, or other measurable ways. There are some possible biological processors to criminal behavior (such as XYY males, chemical factors, etc.), however, the social influences make the biological one’s pale in
Sheldon “studied 200 boys between the ages of 15 and 21 at the Hayden Goodwill Institute in Boston and concluded that four basic body types characterized the entire group,” and through this study Sheldon believes he found the most likely body type to be the body to contain a criminal. Sheldon’s body types are: Mesomorph, Endomorph, Ectomorph, and Balanced type. Mesomorphs were “concluded the most likely to be criminal” (Schmalleger). Mesomorphs are characterized as “athletic and muscular, and large bonded,” Endomorphs are characterized as “soft and round,” overweight; Ectomorphs are described as “thin and fragile ‘poorly muscled extremities,’” and Balanced Type are “average build without being overweight, thin, or overly muscular” (Schmalleger). People believe that attempting to identify criminals prior to their criminal acts is an admirable endeavor, however, it does not seem to have any credence attempting to identify these potential criminals by their physicality, their genetic makeup, or other measurable ways. There are some possible biological processors to criminal behavior (such as XYY males, chemical factors, etc.), however, the social influences make the biological one’s pale in