Environmental Risk Factors Flashcards
List the environmental risk factors
- In-utero experiences and birth complications
- Malnutrition
- TBI
- Hormones and Neurotransmitters
FASD
Fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, exposure to alcohol in the womb. Affects the development of the brain.
-Most incarcerated individuals have some form of FASD
Anoxia
Loss of oxygen, restricted oxygen during birth
Neurotoxins (4 types)
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
Lead
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
Cadmium
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
Manganese
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
Mercury
Found in contaminated fish and seafood, small amount is okay. Affects overall brain development
Protective micronutrients
Trace elements such as
-iron
-zinc
-iodine
-calcium
-selenium
Can be protective against exposure to other toxins
Malnutrition
Can increase the prevalence of conduct problems and aggressive behaviours, poor self regulation, and the ability to learn
Barbados nutrition study
Found a correlation with high levels of antisocial behaviour in adulthood and malnourishment
Nicotine
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
TBI
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
Structural abnormalities in which centers impact antisocial behaviour?
-Prefrontal cortex (emotional regulation)
-Amygdala (emotional behaviour)
-Hippocampus
Serotonin Levels
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
Dopamine
The relationship is unclear, perhaps the cause of an underachieve reward system
Cortisol
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.
Testosterone
Levels are elevated in violent males but is not a predictive factor in violent males.
Executive functioning
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
Impulsivity
Planning behaviours are non-existent, and show a low ability to abstractly reason. Often black and white thinking
Resilience
A protective factor, can exist with good, stable parenting and can stop bad behaviours
