Environmental Risk Factors

Question 1

List the environmental risk factors

Answer 1

• In-utero experiences and birth complications
• Malnutrition
• TBI
• Hormones and Neurotransmitters

Question 2

FASD

Answer 2

Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, exposure to alcohol in the womb. Affects the development of the brain.
-Most incarcerated individuals have some form of FASD

Question 3

Anoxia

Answer 3

Loss of oxygen, restricted oxygen during birth

Question 4

Neurotoxins (4 types)

Answer 4

Toxins that cause neurocongitive dysfunction which predisposes individuals to antisocial behaviour and violence (fetus and children under 2). Working class is more likely to be exposed to these
-Lead
-Cadmium
-Manganese
-Mercury

Question 5

Lead

Answer 5

Found in old water pipes, paint, gasoline, toys, jewelry, pottery until 1996. High concentration of lead linked with ADHD, delinquency, special education populations, violence in children and adults, and a higher concentration has been found in those that have committed homicide.
-cigarettes

Question 6

Cadmium

Answer 6

Soft, malleable metal typically found in rechargeable batteries, tobacco, anti-rusting agents.Can expose child through maternal smoking. Linked to violent offenders, produces cognitive deficits, and negatively impacts social skills

Question 7

Manganese

Answer 7

Good in small doses, found in certain foods such as pineapple and legumes, welding aerosols. Can cause mood disruptions, poor brain functioning, aggression, irritability, behaviour problems, lower IQ, inattention. Also issues in absorbing iron

Question 8

Mercury

Answer 8

Found in contaminated fish and seafood, small amount is okay. Affects overall brain development

Question 9

Protective micronutrients

Answer 9

Trace elements such as
-iron
-zinc
-iodine
-calcium
-selenium
Can be protective against exposure to other toxins

Question 10

Malnutrition

Answer 10

Can increase the prevalence of conduct problems and aggressive behaviours, poor self regulation, and the ability to learn

Question 11

Barbados nutrition study

Answer 11

Found a correlation with high levels of antisocial behaviour in adulthood and malnourishment

Question 12

Nicotine

Answer 12

Creates problems in memory, reasoning, and thinking. Often higher in boys than girls because boys are more vulnerable to the X linked chromosomes.
-Dose-response relationship; smoking 20 cigarettes a day can increase antisocial behaviour by double.
-Can cause anoxia
Second-hand smoke has higher levels of SID

Question 13

TBI

Answer 13

Causes cognitive impairment and issues in executive functioning, frontal lobe is the most important; impacts executive functions, emotions, and behaviour
-Linked to antisocial and serious criminal behaviour and pathological violence
-60% of the incarcerated population

Question 14

Structural abnormalities in which centers impact antisocial behaviour?

Answer 14

-Prefrontal cortex (emotional regulation)
-Amygdala (emotional behaviour)
-Hippocampus

Question 15

Serotonin Levels

Answer 15

Serotonin can have neuromodulating effects
Responsible for the breakdown of serotonin. SSRI’s given to offenders with low levels of serotonin to reduce aggression
-Complex and not well understood

Question 16

Dopamine

Answer 16

The relationship is unclear, perhaps the cause of an underachieve reward system

Question 17

Cortisol

Answer 17

Stress hormone in long-term stress
-Levels of cortisol are reduced in children and adults showing antisocial tendencies. They are less reactive to stressors, and less fearful of negative consequences.

Question 18

Testosterone

Answer 18

Levels are elevated in violent males but is not a predictive factor in violent males.

Question 19

Executive functioning

Answer 19

The achievement of goals, planning behaviours, and understanding consequences. Is related to mental flexibility, the ability to shift attention, and to suppress habitual responses.
-Influenced by genetics and early development
-Antisocial populations tend to score low on executive function but high on risk-taking behaviours

Question 20

Impulsivity

Answer 20

Planning behaviours are non-existent, and show a low ability to abstractly reason. Often black and white thinking

Question 21

Resilience

Answer 21

A protective factor, can exist with good, stable parenting and can stop bad behaviours