Biological causes of crime

Question 1

brain disorder

Answer 1

• people who have the brain disorder of psychopaths lack feelings of remorse and feel little empathy with others
• this means they are less likely to feel guilt and regret after committing a crime so are more likely to do so
• Because they do not feel guilt they have less to stop them committing a crime
• Aaron Campbell who killed a 6 year old girl was labelled a psychopath by experts

Question 2

Hormones

Answer 2

• Hormones affect our brain
• Men have a higher level of testosterone than women do in their body
• This makes them more aggressive and prone to high risk taking
• This aggression and risk taking makes them more likely to commit violent crimes
• Around 90% of all prisoners in a Scottish prison are male compared to 10% who are female