Key Word: Biologist, Psychologist, Theories
INTRODUCTION:
William Sheldon (1898 – 1977) is best known for pioneering the study of somatotypes. He classified theories on Human Body structure which is known as Somatotype in the 1940’s. The physical structure and connection with crime-based body type. He was a biologist and psychologist. He even said these types of bodies lead to crime. . Sheldon’s research was flawed in that he utilized poor research and techniques. The outcome of Sheldon’s work was not the predictability of humans through somatotyping, but genetics.[1] Somatotype theory is one of the biological theories of criminology and is considered to be included in the biological school of criminology. Somatotyping is the classifying of people into types according to body build. Somatotype theory relates distinctive body types to personality characteristics and relates criminal behaviour to body types. Somatotype theory is most commonly associated with William Sheldon. Sheldon’s somatotype theory established three basic body types: endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph.[2]
- ENDOMORPHIC: Sheldon called them Viscerotonic personality. It a personality type characterised as sociable, easy–going, and comfort–seeking.[3]
Such people are wide hips, short and fatty with a round shape of body They like to eat and drink. They have social, fun-loving, foody, tolerant, relaxed, and good-humoured
2. ECTOMORPHIC: Sheldon called them as Cerebrotonic personality. a It person with a personality characterized by shyness, introspection, and emotional restraint.[4]
The person who is thin narrow shoulders, Narrow face. They like to remain away from people. Psychologically they are private, introverted, artistic, intense, and thoughtful
3. MESOMORPHIC: Sheldon called them as Somatotonic personalities. It is a personality type characterized as aggressive and extroverted.[5]
They are muscular and athletic. Broad shoulders, strong arms and legs. They have tough-mind, are risk-taking, aggressive. They are generally considered as well-proportioned. Psychologically they are adventurous, Bold. Courageous, and competitive.
EXPERIMENT BY SHELDON
Sheldon examined a group of 200 young men who were referred to a community centre focused on helping young men delinquents. He compared these individuals to a group of 200 non-delinquent college students according to body type. He found that many of the juvenile delinquent men had mesomorphic body types, whereas most of the college students had ectomorphic body types.
According to Sheldon, those who are Mesomorphic are most prone to commit crimes. Due to their muscular and hard body structure.
CRITICISM:
This theory was based on Assumptions
It is not Practical
It has improper Sampling.
CONCLUSION:
Body type-based personality test is unreliable and unpleasant. The classification of person about the criminal ability is difficult to be identify on the body structure of a human. It is unfair to have such a conclusion that a mesomorphic that is muscular body type leads to crime in the world. The criminal behaviour is not just depended on the physique of a person.
REFERENCE:
Sheldon’s Body Personality (changingminds.org)
This article is written by Komal Andhale, DES College PUNE, 1st Year, LLM.
[1] Sheldons Somatotype Theory And Its Application Psychology Essay (ukessays.com)
[2] Somatotype Theory – Morin – Major Reference Works – Wiley Online Library
[3] viscerotonic Definition – English Dictionary | viscerotonic Explanations and Pronunciations
[4] https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/cerebrotonic
