biological explanations of offending : neuroscience

Question 1

prefrontal cortex - role

Answer 1

regulation of emotional behaviour
-dysfunction may lead to dysfunction in emotional response

Question 2

prefrontal cortex - evidence

Answer 2

-Raine found through brain imaging studies with people with antisocial personality disorder
-reduced activity
-11% less brain matter than controls

Question 3

mirror neurons

Answer 3

Keysers et al (2011)
-criminals asked to empathise with someone feeling pain, the empathy reaction was activated
-can be switched off unlike a neurotypical brain

Question 4

other structural differences

Answer 4

-smaller amygdala = lack of empathy and guilt
-low serotonin = lack of control of emotions
-anterior cingulate cortex = damage leads to impulse control

Question 5

weakness - determinst

Answer 5

-not be accountable for their crimes in court
-may blame their brain
-ethical questions about punishment
-overly deterministic

Question 6

strength - link between lobe and crime

Answer 6

-kandel = lobe damage linked to impulsivity and emotional instability
-Phineas gage = more irritable and aggressive