Biological theories - policies Flashcards
Why are neurochemicals effective?
Vitamin B3 has been used to treat some forms of Schizophrenia - linked with violent behaviour
Why are neurochemicals ineffective?
Can control diet in prison but not outside of prison
Offending may be caused by environmental factors
What is an example of a neurochemicals?
Alcohol - Antabuse gives offenders a bad hangover to put them off drinking
What policy links to Biochemical explanations?
Neurochemicals
Explain neurochemicals policy
Medication and diet is used to control criminality. Gesch et al conducted a study where they gave criminals a fatty acid supplement or a placebo drug and violent incidents dropped by 37% compared to the placebo 10.1%
What policy is influenced by Twin and Adoption studies?
Eugenics
What policy is influenced by Lombroso?
Death penalty - abolished in 1969 in UK. 1,032 people executed worldwide in 2016.
What policy is influenced by Brain abnormalities?
Surgery (lobotomy and surgical castration)
Why is the death penalty effective?
• Eye for an eye - retribution
• Prevention of re-offending
Why is the death penalty ineffective?
• Does not deter
• Miscarriages of Justice
• Not ethical
Why is eugenics effective?
Osborn and West found 40% of boys whose fathers had criminal records also had criminal records themselves - crime can be intergenerational
Why is eugenics ineffective?
• It is unethical
• Not all crime can be explained by biological factors
• Could lead to genocide/hate crime
Why is surgery effective?
• Could act as a deterrent
• Castration for sex offenders can reduce the risk posed to victims
Why is surgery ineffective?
• Unethical and very few are now performed
• Serious side effects
• Invasive
