biochemical explanations

Question 1

What is a biochemical explanation?

Answer 1

Something caused by hormones or other chemicals in the body

Question 2

Explain substance abuse? Why is this an explanation?

Answer 2

50% of homicides, and 50% of acquisitive crimes are drug related. A large volume of crime and antisocial behaviour is linked to misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Question 3

Explain blood sugar levels with criminality? How is it an explanation?

Answer 3

It’s known that people who have difficulty metabolising glucocse, have less self control. Low levels of self control are typically linked to an increase in levels of aggression.

Question 4

Explain sex hormones? How is that an explanation for criminality?

Answer 4

There is a proven direct association between cortisol and testosterone levels, for impulsive and violent behaviour.

Question 5

Strength: why is it good that biochemical factors are recognised at court?

Answer 5

The law of infanticide states that if a mother kills her baby because of post natal depression, or even breastfeeding, she has a partial defence to murder.

Question 6

Weakness: what did Scaramella and Brown find? How does this contradict the theory?

Answer 6

They found that testosterone levels do not greatly affect aggression levels in most men. This study was done in 1978.

Question 7

Weakness: why is this theory deterministic? What other factors could contribute to criminality?

Answer 7

It could require a trigger almost, such as an environmental one, to cause the offending.