Biochemical explanations

Question 1

Sex hormones

Answer 1

• Males overproduction or underproduction of testosterone can lead to criminal behaviour.
• Males are more aggressive than females, the crimes they may turn to are murder and rape.
• Females PMS, post natal depression and lactation can lead to criminality, with crimes ranging from shoplifting to infanticide.

Question 2

Blood sugar levels

Answer 2

• Hypoglycaemia can trigger aggressive reactions, drinking large quantities of alcohol can lead to low blood sugar.
• Alcohol abuse has a clear link to aggression and violence (crime).

Question 3

Substance abuse

Answer 3

• Sunders calculated that alcohol played a significant part in the arrests of criminals (almost 1,000 arrests per day are due to alcohol).