Biological 2) Role of the Amygdala

Question 1

Genn and Raine

Answer 1

Identified structures in the brain (amygdala) as being responsible for criminal behaviour.
The amygdala is a collection of brain structures/neurons which are also a part of the limbic system.

Question 2

Raine et al.

Answer 2

PET scans highlighted abnormalities in some parts of the brain of violent criminals most of which had been diagnosed with APD (anti-social personality disorder).

Question 3

Coccaro et al.

Answer 3

Studied people with IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder).
A common symptom of which is outbursts of aggression.
Those with IED showed high levels of amygdala activity, which supports the theory.

Question 4

Papez and MaClean

Answer 4

Noted that the amygdala was linked to several parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, which has a widespread influence on brain function and behaviour, especially aggression.

Question 5

Raine et al. (2)

Answer 5

Also investigated murderers who had substantial degree of aggression.
Not only did they have greater activity in the amygdala, but also had abnormally low metabolism in the prefrontal cortex.
Meaning criminal behaviour is not simply an issue of the amygdala but other biological functions.

Question 6

What have technical advances allowed?

Answer 6

To begin to investigate how the brains of criminals may differ from those who don’t commit crime.

Question 7

Yang et al.

Answer 7

2009, did MRI scans of the brains of 27 individuals assessed as psychopathic.
Found 18% reduction in volue and a thinning of its outer layer, called the cortex.

Question 8

Schiltz et al.

Answer 8

2007, found that paedophiles had a decrease in the volume of the right amygdala compared with the healthy controls.