1. Biological Strategy for Preventing Criminal Behaviour and EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 1

Biological strategies that could be used for preventing criminal behaviour. (2 things)

Answer 1

• Chemical castration
• Omega 3

Question 2

Chemical castration (2 points)

Answer 2

• Chemical castrationiscastrationvia drugs, whether to reduce libido and sexual activity, to treat cancer, or otherwise. Unlike surgicalcastration, where the gonads are removed through an incision in the body,chemical castrationdoes not remove organs, nor is it a form of sterilization.
• The drug triptorelin, inhibits the production of testosterone which is linked to the high sex drives of paedophiles. It tends also to be used with those with compulsive or impulsive urges to offend, those who have difficulties controlling sexual arousal, intrusive sexual fantasies or urges, sadism or other dangerous tendencies such as necrophilia (sex with dead people).

Question 3

Chemical castration used for sex offenders (3 things)

Answer 3

• TheAmerican Psychological Associationmaintains that “paedophilia is a mental disorder; that sex between adults and children is always wrong; and that acting on paedophilic impulses is and should be a criminal act.”
• This distinction between impulse and action is disturbing to many, still some men claim they have never acted on their desires.
• What separates those who violate children from those who have urges but do not act? In some cases, the difference may be a matter of receiving treatment, commonly referred to as “chemical castration.”

Question 4

Chemical castration
Who its used for?
How it works?

Answer 4

This technique is sometimes used with paedophiles. It works by inhibiting the release of testosterone. This results in reduced sex drive which also reduces the amount of sexual fantasies. It is usually voluntary.

Question 5

Research to back up the use of triptorelin;
Who’s research
What did they find
What does this mean

Answer 5

Dabbs;
Found that sexual offenders had higher levels of testosterone than offenders who had committed property offences.

Saliva samples indicated higher levels of testosterone.

Therefore this suggests a biological cause for the behaviour of sexual offenders and can be used to back up the use of triptorelin as a way of inhibiting the production of testosterone and therefore the sexual urges of paedophiles.

Question 6

Omega 3: Gesch ‘02
What method?
Sample?
Results?
Conclusion?

Answer 6

Double-blind placebo effect
231 young adult prisoners, comparing disciplinary offences before and during supplementation
Compared to baseline, the effect on those taking active supplements for a minimum of 2 weeks was an average 35.1% reduction of offences
Conclusions: Antisocial behaviour in prisons, including violence, are reduced by vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids with similar implications for those eating poor diets in the community.

Question 7

A) Using the research by Raine, outline how criminal behaviour could be explained through physiological factors (10 marks)

Answer 7

AO1 = 5
Outline the main aim/sample/procedure

AO2 =5
Pick 2 results
Apply the findings of Raine’s study to physiological explanations
What did Raine find? Which areas of the brain were lower in activity and what does this suggest?
You need a range of brain areas to get into the top band