Application: biological strategies for preventing criminal behaviour

Question 1

What 4 main biosocial risk factors did Raine list for criminal behaviour?

Answer 1

• children of mothers who smoke during pregnancy have higher risk of becoming violent offenders
• birth complications represent a risk factor for antisocial behaviour and crime
• poor nutrition of mother during pregnancy increases rate of antisocial behaviour
• early maternal care very important for brain development and preventing antisocial behaviour

Question 2

What is the intervention programmes for children strategy?

Answer 2

• Home visits by nurses during pregnancy to ensure everything is okay
• Nurses give advice (e.g. stop smoking)

Question 3

What was found when Raine studied 100 children with low resting heart rate compared with a matched control group doing the intervention programme?

Answer 3

That children doing the intervention programme showed more positive signs like better focus and more mature brains.

Question 4

What is the omega-3 strategy?

Answer 4

Eating more healthily and specific foods can help your mental development and reduce antisocial and criminal behaviour.

Question 5

What evidence is there that omega-3 works?

Answer 5

• Study where children drank a juice with omega-3 in for 6 months
• After 12 months parents reported reduced antisocial and aggressive behaviour
• Raine says the omega-3 enhances brain structure and function