brain injuries and disorders Flashcards
Who is Phineas Gage?
When he was mining a pole went through his eye and up through his brain,however he was still okay and conscious afterwards. However after he got violent and mean, his personality changed. This suggest that the accident affected his frontal lobe.
Who was Charles Whitman?
He had a brain tumour in his amygdala, which was an area that controls emotions and behaviour. He stabbed his mother and his wife, and he took part in a university shooting when 17 died and 31 were injured.
explain how a disease could have an affect on criminality? mention charles whitman
Senile dementia, Huntingtons disease, and brain tumours
How can disease be linked to criminal behaviour? Give examples such as Charles Whitman.
Brain diseases such as senile dementia, Huntingtons disease and brain tumours have all been linked to various forms or deviant and anti social behaviour. For example Charles Whitman had a brain tumour on his amygdala, which is the area that regulates aggression and impulses. He murdered several people due to this.
Explain abnormal brain activity? What has research shown?
Research has shown that murderers had an 11% reduction in activity in the pre frontal cortex area of the brain, which is responsible for regulating emotions and behaviours.
Weakness: why is this not a good explanation for crime? Is it care??
Crime caused by brain injured and diseases are rare. Their personality is easier to look at and observe
Strength: how can this be supported by current prisoners?
Prisoners are more likely than non prisoners to have a brain injury, making the theory gain validity
Strength: is there evidence? Is there a correlation between EEG and crime?
There is some correlation between abnormal EEG readings (a way of measuring brainwave activity), and psychopathic criminality.
Weakness: does everyone with abnormal EEG readings a criminal?
No, it’s not accurate and generalisable for everyone. It is not clear that abnormal brainwave activity causes criminality, it’s been found that some psychopaths have normal EEG patterns and some don’t, lacking consistency.
