Biological explanations for crime:Brain injury

Question 1

Pre-frontal cortex

Answer 1

planning+desicion making-higher impulsive behaviour e.g opportunistic crimes
inhibits impulses from amygdala-if damaged,low tolerance to frustration-recklessness

Question 2

Hypothalamus

Answer 2

-control of autonomous nervous system
-homeostasis
Damage:
-unable to regulate appropriate hormone levels

Question 3

Hippocampus

Answer 3

-passes STM—>LTM
Damage:
-issues creating episodic memories
-inability to learn emotional responses/learn from experience
-links to recidivism

Question 4

Amygdala

Answer 4

-fight/flight response
-processing of emotions i.e anger
Damage:
-poor regulation of fight/flight
-reduced ability to sense danger—> dangerous actions i.e assault

Question 5

TBI: traumatic brain injury

Answer 5

results from sudden impact to the head e.g accident,fall,assault
-men more at risk:perform more risk taking behaviours- high testosterone:increased aggression+violent behaviours=more dangerous situations+ TBIs

Question 6

ABI:acquired brain injury

Answer 6

injury acquired after birth-internal reasons e.g stroke,infection,lack of oxygen

Question 7

TBI: A03

Answer 7

Williams(2010):
60% young criminals experienced a TBI
-TBIs can interrupt the development of young peoples´ ability to restrain their impulses+actions

Saparta et al: 18 offender subjects-50% reported head injury in comparison to 2-5% prevalence in general population
-more difficulty understanding legal process+ to be found guilty—-> cog rehab:reduce tendency to offend

Browner and Price(2001): damage in frontal lobes: anti-social+ criminal behaviour + impulse aggression

Question 8

Evaluation of explanation:application

Answer 8

Reduces recidivism-cause of criminal behaviour
Treatment improvements: bio cause=bio treatment:better tailored-reduce recidivism
CA:psych treatments=redundant+ treating symptoms not cause
Pre-screening/early intervention-helps individuals in society-prevents criminal behaviour
CA: too deterministic, may be unethical:leads to labelling +different treatment

Question 9

Comparisons+ credibility

Answer 9

Reductionist-purely bio,ignores social factors e.g Bandura´s SLT-may be predisposition but not only factor
Deterministic-scapegoat e.g Charles Whitman-ethical dilemma:ignores free will