Criminal Psychology - Physiological explanations of criminal behaviour (Background)

Question 1

Physiological explanation:

What did Raine find out about heart rate and criminal activity?

Answer 1

Low activity in the prefrontal cortex can be indicated by low resting heart rate. Extroverts have low resting heart rates and are characterised by thrill-seeking behaviour. High activity in the prefrontal cortex is indicated by high resting heart rates. Introverts tend to avoid pulse raising activities and this suggests that extroverts are more likely to be involved in criminal activity.

Question 2

What are 4 causes of criminal tendencies?

Answer 2

1. low arousal/low resting HR
2. brain dysfunction in prefrontal cortex
3. birth complications
4. mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy

Question 3

What are 4 behaviours indicating criminal tendencies?

Answer 3

1. impulsive and violent behaviour
2. inability to focus attention
3. antisocial behaviour
4. fearlessness and stimulation-seeking

Question 4

What did Raine’s study (1997a) confirm about the association of the prefrontal cortex and criminal behaviour?

Answer 4

Used PET to compare the brains of murders and non-murderers and found that brain dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex is associated with aggressive behaviour.

Question 5

What did Raine’s study (1997b) confirm about the association of HR and criminal behaviour?

Answer 5

Used 1795 children and identified those with low resting HR at 3 years old were more aggressive than those with high resting HR at age 11.

Question 6

What is the relationship between genes and aggressive behaviour?

Answer 6

There is an ‘association’ but it is not the ‘cause’

Question 7

What did Brunner discover about the MAOA gene?

Answer 7

The MAOA enzyme breaks down serotonin levels - the inability to break down serotonin leads to aggression

Question 8

What is the inability to produce the MAOA enzyme called?

Answer 8

Brunner syndrome

Question 9

What research supported the suggestion that genes are associated with anti social behaviour?

Answer 9

Cases et al’s study turned off the MAOA gene in one group of mice. The MAOA-deficient mice had 9x the level of serotonin compared to the control group - this lead to behaviour alterations

Question 10

What were some of the behavioural alterations found in the MAOA-deficient mice?

Answer 10

1. trembling
2. difficulty righting
3. fearfulness

Question 11

What is the holistic view of the association of genes and antisocial behaviour?

Answer 11

Caspi et al found that low MAOA + maltreatment in childhood = antisocial and violent behaviour This supports Raine’s assertion that a biosocial explanation is needed.

Question 12

What is Raine’s approach to factors influencing antisocial behaviour?

Answer 12

He has a holistic approach which stresses that a biosocial explanation is essential as biology is not the only factor that influences people’s behaviour