Some people just look like criminals

Summary of the YES argument:

·       Sheldon developed 3 body types that future researchers adopted in some format or another. Sheldon listed mesomorphs as being athletically built. Endomorphs are overweight. Ectomorphs are underweight to the more extreme side of being skinny.

·       Nearly all research on body types being linked to crime have found that mesomorphs or their slight variation depending on the researcher are consistently associated with criminal behavior and groups compared to the other 2 somatotypes.

·       After years of studies it was determined that there were some flaws in many of the study’s methodology but the study in 2008 corrected the flaws by using the body mass index approach and the results of that study were consistent with previous conclusions although it found only a slight linkage to criminal behavior and association.

Summary of the NO argument:

·       It is crazy to think that a person’s body type by itself has an effect on crime. Rather we must look at any possible third variables that link the two.

·       There is no direct casual link between body type and crime

·       However, if there is a link it has to be placed in the context of environmental variables

·       No study has ever looked and measured all of the important variables that could be related to body types and crime.

·       While there may be a link, the third variable is a person realizing there body type and understanding that they have a better chance at being successful in committing a certain crime like the example and robbing a guy.

·       The bigger more athletic kid knows his physical size can be used to intimidate and therefore increases his chances of being successful

Reflection:

            The question presented is whether or not a person’s body type is CLEARLY linked to criminal behavior. I find it just plain dumb to think that just because a person is built athletically that he is more likely to commit crime than anyone else of a different body type. Certainly those with athletic builds have an advantage in committing certain crimes especially violent physical crimes than those who are really skinny or obese. However, a person’s body type alone is not clearly linked to criminal behavior.

            There is no doubt in my mind that to claim this linkage between the two one must also address a third variable otherwise we are claiming that a fat person who loses weight is more prone to committing crime. It seems to suggest that obese people can’t rape someone or point a gun at a bank teller. We must look at what someone would feel the need to rape or the need to steal money from a bank.