biological theories informing policy development Flashcards
what is neurochemicals?
influencing the brain’s chemistry by diet
case study: gesch et al
231 young, male, adult, prisoner volunteers agreed to receive fatty acid supplement or placebo drug. tests were taken including reports of violent acts and disciplinary action
violent incidents dropped from 16 to 10.4 in the group that took the supplement (35% reduction) - violent incidents dropped 37%. placebo group only dropped by 6.7% - violent incidents dropped 10.1%
virkkuken et al
violent offenders had low serotonin turnover. can be treated by diet with foods that contain serotonin - salmon and tuna.
what is eugenics?
- inheritance of genes explain the presence of simple and complex human behavioural characteristics
- reinforces biological determinism
for example?
nazi sterilisation programme. advocates higher rates of sexual reproduction for people with desirable traits and higher rates of sterilisation of people with
less desired traits
what is the death penalty?
capital punishment
amnesty international 2017
1,032 people were executed in 2016.
does the death penalty work as a crime control method?
statistics show that the usa states that do not have the death penalty murder rates are lower - 2015, states with death penalty was 25% higher
- showed that death penalty was not a deterrent
how has the death penalty worked?
uk temporary abolition in 1965 - murder rate did not soar as a result of the abolition so permanent abolition took place in 1969