Chapter 3 - Biology Flashcards
Genotype
genetic makeup of an organism
phenotype
physical and behavioral expression of the genotype
somatotype
category people are assigned to based on body type
ectomorphic
skinny and weak - intelligent, introverted, ancious, self0conscious
mesomorphic
even weight distribution - competitive, extroverted, tough
endomorphic
fat and short - outgoing, friendly, lazy and selfish
how can attractiveness effect views on crime?
makes you seem more trustworthy. less likely to be punished
neuropsychology
study of the brain
Fore brain
governs complex functions
cerebrum
contributes to human qualities
corprus callosum
connects hemispheres
limbic system
emotional drives
frontal lobe
sensory info, high order thinking
parietal lobe
processes senses
temporal
language and speech
occipital
vision
What does organic brain syndrome decrease?
mental functioning
what can traumatic brain injury (tbi) cause
anxiety, depression, impulsive or reactive violence
what is a major cause of brain injury in youth?
child abuse
Which brain part plays a role in aggression
Prefrontal cortex, temporal dysfunction
amygdala
fight or flight response
temporal lobe injuries
impacts limbic system and leads to misinterpretation on environmental cues
dopamine
rewards system, high levels can lead to aggression, triggers defensive responses
norepinephrine
fight or flight, high in aggressive/dominating people
Behavioral Activation System (BAS)
Activates behavior in response to reward
Overactivity = impulsive behavior
Dopamine system
Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)
Inhibits behavior in response to fear, punishment
Underactivity = impulsive behavior
Serotonin system
Behavior related to testosterone
competitiveness, aggression, risk-taking
infanticide
killing a child under the age of 1
Postpartum blues
Mood swings, irritability, crying
Post partum depression
Fatigue, suicidal thoughts, loos of interest
Post partum psychosis
Mania and depression - 20-40% commit infanticide
What is cortisol
stress hormone released when under stress
high levels of cortisol
psychological stress, social avoidance
low levels of cortisol
relaxation, submission, low levels of aggression
chronic low levels - cortisol
no fear of punishment
autonomic arousal theory of crime
offenders show low levels
Charles Whitman
Veteran that open fired due to brain tumour
Executive control functions
high-order cognitive skills - decision making, planning, predicting
Frontal lobe dysfunction
cannot anticipate consequence, cannot adapt, overact to minor provocations
Hormones
regulates growth and sexual development
High heart rate
anxiety and fearful temperament
Skin conductance
changes of electrical activity in skin - more sweat, goosebumps
low heart rate
low levels of fear
causes of low heart rate
lack of stimulation, under-arousal, reduced fear in childhood
environmental risk factors
neurotoxins, prenatal nutrition, prenatal alcohol or smoking, birth complications
prenatal
inside the womb
perinatal
at time of birth
postnatal
after birth
teratogen
substance that causes birth defects such as alcohol
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) effects
lower iq, likely to be incarcerated, cognitive disabilities
maternal smoking
affects dopamine and serotonin systems, ADHD and CD risks
why might maternal smoking occur
lack of concern for fetus, unable to quit due to addiction (could be genetic as well)
Minor physical anomalies
small defects that result from fetal maldevelopment - seen in schizophrenia
neurotoxins
exposure to toxic materials in environment
lead
reduces lobe matter and brain volume - connects to psychopathy
Who is most affected by lead
children - they absorb it 5 times as much
cadmium
learning difficulties - violent behavior. caused from prenatal smoking
manganese
prenatal exposure and infant feeding - affects developing nervous system
mercury
dietary exposure, linked to antisocial behavior
