criminology

Question 1

Aggression

Answer 1

Feelings of anger and hostility towards someone or something, often resulting in violent actions.

Question 2

Localization of Brain Function

Answer 2

This describes the concept of different parts of the brain having different functions.

Question 3

Hormone

Answer 3

Secreted by the endocrine system which impact interest in sex, food, and aggression.

Question 4

Testosterone

Answer 4

The most important male sex hormone. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristic during puberty.

Question 5

System Two is

Answer 5

• Slow
• Conscious
• Controlled
• Based on consequences

Question 6

Neurotransmitters

Answer 6

A variety of neurotransmitters have been identified and associated with different behaviors
-
Chemical messengers held in the end of a neuron’s axon that cross the synaptic gaps between neuron. When released by the sending neuron, they travel across the synapse and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron, thereby influencing whether that neuron will generate a neural impulse.

Question 7

Cognitive Capabilities

Answer 7

This refers to one’s ability to perform cognitive tasks

Question 8

Amygdala

Answer 8

The cortex within the temporal lobe

Question 9

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)

Answer 9

Measures the activity or function of areas of he brain when the participant is performing a task or cognitive function

Question 10

Neuroplasticity

Answer 10

term that is used to describe the brain’s ability to change as a result of experiennce

Question 11

Serotonin

Answer 11

Correlated with antisocial behavior including aggression and violence

Question 12

Amygdala

Answer 12

Two lima-bean-sized neural clusters in the limbic system. This structure is involved in strong emotions like fear and aggression (it is also somewhat involved in memory formation as emotional memories are easy to remember, they are ‘seared’ into our memory by the Amygdala, this is the likely cause of phobias and certain disorders such as PTSD).

Question 13

How to neurotransmitters work?

Question 14

Synapse

Answer 14

The junction between the axon tip of the sending neuron and the dendrite or cell body of the receiving neuron (the tiny gap at this junction is called the synaptic gap or synaptic clef).

Question 15

Reuptake

Answer 15

The reabsorption of excess neurotransmitters by the sending neuron

Question 16

Agonist

Answer 16

A molecule that increases a neurotransmitter’s action (usually by mimicking it).

Question 17

Antagonist

Answer 17

A molecule that inhibits or blocks a neurotransmitter’s action.

Question 18

Hypothalamus

Answer 18

The Hypothalamus is involved in activating the flight/fight response. It sends a signal to the adrenal glands, which are small glands that sit on top of the of the kidney and triggers the release of adrenaline into out blood stream

Question 19

Hippocampus

Answer 19

A neural center located in the limbic system; it is fundamental for the retention of long term memory and helps process the storage and formation of explicit (conscious) memories of facts and events.
*The Hippocampus working in conjunction with the Amygdala appears to have the ability to sear emotionally charged events into your memory.

Question 20

Genes

Answer 20

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

Question 21

Heritability

Answer 21

The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that can be attributed to genes (variation in a population due to genes). The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.

Question 22

Why may low serotonin might lead to acts of aggression or violence

Answer 22

• If an individual is threatened and they have low levels of serotonin, they may not be able to perform top-down control; that is to say, the lack of activity in the PFC may affect their ability to regulate the stress response as triggered by the amygala’s reactivity towards the threat. This might increase their emotional level and increase chances of a highly emotion reaction to the threat.
• The reduced activity in their PFC as a result of the low serotonin may also affect their ability to inhibit impulsive reactions and think through their actions, so if someone has a tendency towards violence they may not be able to reduce an impulsive reaction towards an individual who is threatening them.

Question 23

Enzyme

Answer 23

An enzyme is a substance that acts as a catalyst in living organisms

Question 24

Monozygotic (MZ) twins

Answer 24

identical twins result from a single fertilised ovum and therefore share all genes (100% genetic material in common)

Question 25

Dizygotic (DZ) twins

Answer 25

dizygotic (DZ) or fraternal twins are the result of the implantation of two separate fertilised ova and generally share about 50% of genes and are no more alike than other siblings.

Question 26

Behavior

Answer 26

any observable action

Question 27

Evolution

Answer 27

The principle of evolution is based on how our genes mutate and change, with those that are advantageous being passed down through a process of natural selection.

Question 28

Self-Efficacy

Answer 28

Self-efficacy: one’s belief in one’s ability to succeed accomplishing a task

Question 29

Culture of Honour

Answer 29

The culture of honor is a particular set of cultural values. A value is something you think is important, so a cultural value is something that a cultural group shares in their value of its importance.
-In the South in this early time there was also little law enforcement or authority, so people had to take care of themselves. This meant they were responsible

Question 30

What is Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA)

Answer 30

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in the synapse

Question 31

What happens if someone has a low expression variant of this MAOA (known as MAOA-L)

Answer 31

If they have the low expressing variant it means that there will be less MAOA produced. This can affect neurotransmitter levels (including serotonin and dopamine) which affects brain activity in important parts of the brain, like the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. This could explain how the MAOA-L affects brain activity.