Francis Galton's beliefs included the existence of what type of criminals?

Francis Galton was an early contributor to the field of eugenics and has been significant in discussions surrounding the nature of criminal behavior. His belief in the existence of “born criminals” suggests that he thought certain individuals are predisposed to criminality due to inherent traits, possibly linked to genetic factors. This idea is grounded in the assumption that some people possess characteristics that make them more likely to engage in criminal acts, distinguishing them from those who are shaped by their environment or circumstances.

The concept of "born criminals" is often connected to the work of Cesare Lombroso, a contemporary of Galton, who purported that physical features could indicate a criminal disposition. This view laid the foundation for the biological determinism perspective in criminology, suggesting that genetics play a key role in shaping an individual's propensity to commit crimes.

Understanding Galton’s perspective provides insight into early criminological theories that shaped later discussions on nature versus nurture in the explanation of criminal behavior, which continues to be a relevant debate in contemporary criminology and psychology.