biological explanation of crime: brain injury Flashcards
describe the role of the frontal lobe
planning
decision making
problem solving
motor skills
higher order cognitive function
describe the role of the temporal lobe
understanding language
memory
facial recognition
speech
hearing
describe the role of the parietal lobe
perception
object classification
spelling / numbers
visuospatial processes
describe the role of the occipital lobe
vision
visual processing
colour identification
describe the role of the cerebellum
gross and fine motor skills
balance
hand eye coordination
describe the role of the brain stem
regulates body temperature
swallowing
breathing / heart rate
describe the role of the pre frontal cortex
personality expression
inhibits amygdala
planning / decision making
what happens if the pre frontal cortex is damaged?
cannot inhibit amygdala’s impulses
poor cognitive skills
cannot plan or anticipate consequence
what happens if they hypothalamus is damaged?
unable to regulate appropriate hormone levels in relation to behaviours
what happens if the hippocampus is damaged?
problems creating episodic memories
inability to learn from emotional responses or experience
cannot learn when to display aggression
links to recidivism
what happens if the amygdala is damaged?
cannot show correct emotional response
lack of emotional perception
reduced volume = blunted emotions, calculated hostile behaviour
what causes increased impulsivity in adolescences?
heightened need for basic reward
increased reward seeking behaviour = drug or alcohol use
cannot balance short term rewards and long term consequence as system is not fully developed until mid 20s
what is a traumatic brain injury?
a form of acquired brain injury which occurs when sudden trauma damages the brain
what is an open TBI?
brain exposed
- eg due to a bullet
can lead to focal damage
what is a closed TBI?
insult to brain from external mechanical force without exposing the brain
how is the severity of TBIs assessed?
glasgow coma scale
3-15 point scale
13+ =mild
9-12 = moderate
<8 = severe
based on eye opening, verbal/motor response
what are the causes of TBIs?
road incidents
falls
suicide
assault
sporting incident
what are risk factors of TBIs?
drugs and alcohol - driving
socioeconomic status
urban dwelling
youth
what is the link between gender and young people acquiring TBIs?
young = both sexes equally at risk
teens = male 14% female 5%
what are the consequences of TBIs?
poor memory
reduced concentration / attention
executive system disorders - poor judgement
decoupling of cognition - stress / depression
decreased emotional awareness
poor impulse control
strength for brain injury as an explanation for crime (frontal lobe supporting evidence) PEE
a strength for brain injury as an explanation of crime is the supporting evidence from Brower and Price. they studied articles relating to evidence of frontal lobe dysfunction in violent males and females, finding that anti social / criminal behaviour relates to frontal lobe damage. therefore, this is a strength because the biological explanation suggests that deficits to the frontal lobe prevent inhibition of amygdala and the individual is unable to anticipate consequences or correctly perceive emotions so they act impulsively.
what is an application for brain injury being an explanation for crime?
pre screening of young people when they first offend can allow punishment to be reduced as the individual has less responsibility of their crime and allows more awareness of brain injuries in the criminal justice system.
weakness of brain injury as an explanation for crime (opposing study) PEE
a weakness of brain injury as an explanation of crime is the study by Krutezer et al who were unable to establish a cause and effect between TBI and violence. for example, only 20% out of 74 patients had been arrested pre injury and only 10% post injury. most arrests were after the use of alcohol or drugs. therefore, this is a weakness because it suggests that crime could be due to a confounding variable, and the lack of cause and effect reduces the internal validity of the findings.
