Biological Theories Informing Policy Devlopment Flashcards
Who conducted a case study into neurochemicals and influencing the brains chemistry by diet?
Gesch (2002)
Who was the sample in Gesch’s case study?
231 young, male, adult, prisoner volunteers.
In Gesch’s case study, what did the volunteers agree to do?
Receive either a daily vitamin/mineral/ fatty acids supplementation, or a placebo drug.
I’m Gesch’s case study, what did the results show for disciplinary incidents per 1’000 person-days?
Supplement group had a 35% reduction.
Placebo group had a 6.7% reduction.
In Gesch’s study what did the results show in terms of violent incidents?
Supplement group had a 37% reduction.
Placebo group had a 10.1% reduction.
What did Gesch conclude in his case study?
That it is possible for diet to positively impact on criminal behaviour, which may result in less crime.
What did Virkkunen et al (1987) find in terms of diet?
That violent offenders had a lower than average serotonin turnover, which can be treated by a diet with foods that contain serotonin like salmon.
What did Schoenthaler (1983) find in terms of diet?
That a reduced sugar diet reduced anti-social behaviour by 48%.
What are all prisons attempting to embrace?
The Balance of Good Health Model by providing nutritionally balanced and healthy diets.
What does the study of eugenics claim?
Inheritance of genes could explain the presence of simple and complex human behavioural characteristics.
What is an example of a eugenic policy?
The Nazi Sterilisation Programme - higher sexual reproduction for people with desirable traits (Aryan Master Race) and eliminated people with less desirable traits (disabled and mentally ill).
Who’s research provides some support for eugenics?
Osborn and West (1970s).
What did Osborn and West (1970s) find in support of eugenics?
That 40% of boys who’s fathers had criminal records had criminal records themselves.
Just over 12% of boys who’s fathers did not have a criminal record had a criminal record themselves.
Does eugenics reduce criminality?
To an extent because it can reduce reproduction and inheritance of behavioural genes that can cause criminality.
However this inheritance is quite low (40% boys).
Death penalty is a ______ biologically ________ policy.
- formal.
- inspired.
