biological treatment for criminal

Question 1

neurotransmitters as treatments AO1

Answer 1

• dopamine antagonists bind to dopamine receptors to prevent the uptake of dopamine in brain which reduces aggression.
• Serotonin can be taken up too fast so they spend little time in the brain, SSRI keep them for longer and prevent reuptake.

Question 2

neurotransmitters as treatments AO3

Answer 2

-Moss et al 1990 looked at ASPD and substance abuse to see if it is related to changes in response to serotonin. They found altering serotonin function lead to aggression in ASPD.

Question 3

hormone drug treatments AO1

Answer 3

• cyproterone acetate CPA reduces sexual drives and fantasies. This idea came from success of surgical castration reducing recidivism rates. Only found in Canada and side effects are liver dysfunction
• medroxyprogesterone acetate MPA inhibits and breaks down testosterone and is a hormonal agent. used mostly in USA and side effects are weight gain and liver dysfunction.

Question 4

hormone drug treatments AO3 strengths

Answer 4

• Bradbury and Kaye 1999 says that use of drugs for sexual deviancy assumes behavior is biological drives and suppressing sexual drive would reduce drives. Using anti-androgen and hormonal agents is useful in treating sex offenders and recidivism rates reduced.
• Perkins et al 1998 used a combo of cognitive interventions, personality factors and anti-libidinal medication. It is interesting that he made analyses on individuals experiences . He concluded that hormonal medication helps if there is informed consent and a right to withdraw.

Question 5

hormone drug treatments AO3 weakness

Answer 5

• Coupis and Kennedy 2008 found that aggression can increase dopamine than dopamine causing aggression. So treatments to decrease dopamine to decrease aggression, does not address the original reason for the aggression so there is a chance the aggression will return.
• Maletsky 2006 found that 41% of sexual offenders were recommended MPA but not given due to reasons of cost and availability. They went on to reoffend more than the offenders on MPA, which is a consideration when weighing up cost and benefit of treatment.