BIOLOGICAL key question

Question 1

P1 what issues arise from impulsive behaviour

Answer 1

• no consideration to negative consequences
• more likely to engage in actions dangerous to themselves and others (violent crimes)

Question 2

P1 why are these issues for society

Answer 2

• individuals likely to be punished by imprisonment
• high financial costs to accommodate a growing number of offenders

Question 3

P1 how does the limbic system link to impulsive behaviour

Answer 3

• amygdala = responsible for flight/fight response
• smaller amygdala = more aggression = increase in impulsivity

Question 4

P2 what issues arise for impulsive behaviour (statistics)

Answer 4

• prevalence in general population = 16.9%
• significantly higher in men and in younger age groups (18 to 29)

Question 5

P2 why is this an issue for society

Answer 5

• results in a high percentage of young, male offenders
• results in overcrowding and strain on resources

Question 6

P2 how do hormones explain impulsive behaviour

Answer 6

testosterone (found higher in men) positively correlates to aggression
- produced in spurts
- explain males going from calm to angry in minutes

Question 7

P3 how could we help remove the issues from society

Answer 7

• being able to predict and monitor behaviour
• lead to a reduction in crime
• lowers number of offenders requiring imprisonment/ rehabilitation

Question 8

P3 BUT why is that an issue for society

Answer 8

• such preventative measures (screening babies’ brain functioning) will pose many objections
• ethically wrong
• risk of labelling individuals and treating them different

Question 9

P3 how do brain scans support the idea of brain functioning

Answer 9

• NGRIs who have murdered suggest that their brain functioning left them with no control
• low levels in pre-frontal cortex = difficulties regulating emotions

Question 10

P4 how could we help remove the issues from society

Answer 10

• impulsivity often leads to sexual violence against women
• overcrowded prisons may seek to treat these individuals before they are released
• use of female hormone is an option to reduce sexual urges

Question 11

P4 BUT why is this an issue

Answer 11

• may be viewed as extreme measures
• many ethical objections and a high level of social control

Question 12

P4 how could Depo-Provera be used to help the social issue

Answer 12

• twice weekly injections found to be effective with sexual offences
• progesterone levels will also increase
• associated with more nurturing and less aggression

Question 13

what is the biological key question

Answer 13

How can we use biological psychology to explain and reduce impulsive violence?