LEC 5 - Biopsychosocial model of crime

Question 1

How does a typical investigation with forensic assesment in the dutch criminal system look like?

Answer 1

Question 2

How do forensic experts act as a witness/specialist in a criminal case?

Answer 2

Interface mental health care/legal system
 Forensic assessment in a legal framework (coercion or enforcement)
 Suspect as a person & protection of society
Goal: Protection of society by (enforced) treatment of the patient.

Question 3

How is forensic assessment done in the Netherlands?

Answer 3

PBC
* ± 200 assessments per
year
* In-patient clinic (7 weeks)
* Multidisciplinary team of
experts

Ambulantory
* ± 4000 assessments per year
* ± 3 contacts with suspect
* Psychologist or psychiatrist or
both (with or without
investigator of social network)

Question 4

What questions are answered in dutch forensic psychiatry?

Answer 4

1. Mental health disorder?
2. Relation to crime?
3. Criminal responsibility?
4. Risk regarding recidivism?
5. Enforced treatment needed?

Question 5

How is the dutch legal context regarding criminal responsability?

Answer 5

• Not punishable
• 5 levels of criminal responsibility
   Complete responsibility
   Slightly diminished
   Diminished
   Severely diminished
   Total absence of responsibility
• Prison sentence and/or enforced treatment
   Ambulatory treatment
   TBS/PIJ

Question 6

What is a biopsychosocial model

Answer 6

The biopsychosocial model is a comprehensive approach to understanding health and illness. It considers three main factors:

1. Biological: Genetics, physical health, and brain function.
2. Psychological: Emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
3. Social: Environment, relationships, and cultural influences.

This model helps provide a holistic view of an individual’s health by looking at the interplay between these factors³⁵.

Question 7

How did the biology part of criminology evolve?

Answer 7

a. 1980’s unravelling the human genome
i. Gene -> Protein -> Brain: (Hormone, Neurotransmittors, Receptor) -> Cognition -> Behavior
ii. Biological side of biopsychological model tried to explain why people show behavior, but this is not completely possible. IT plays a role, but smaller than thought in the 80’s

b. The Aggressive Gene (1990)
i. There are gene’s that make people more prone to employ violence
ii. But this does not directly lead to violence.

c. Unravelling the brain (2000)
i. Psychopaths have a damaged or less developed prefrontal context
ii. Railway worker had his prefontal context pierced and destroyed and became less social

Question 8

What parts of the brain have what effect when damaged/underdeveloped?

Answer 8

Amygdala less developed
Less empathy

Prefrontal cortex less
developed
Impulsivity problems

Relation amygdala and
prefrontal cortex
Less emotion recognition

Question 9

What is the role of the Prefrontal Cortex and Amygdala in violence (regulation)

Answer 9

Prefrontal Contet = Social Emotional System
Amygdala = Cognitive Control System

Question 10

What is Low Arousal Theory?

Answer 10

Low arousal theory suggests that some have lower than normal level of arousal. To compensate they may engage in higher risk activities

Question 11

What is Stimulation Seeking Theory

Answer 11

Individuals with low arousal seek out stimulating activities to raise arousal levels

Question 12

What is Self Regulation?

Answer 12

Some persons have more self regulation then others. Resulting in less patient behaviour.

Question 13

What is attachment theory?

Answer 13

Attachment theory explains how early relations shape emotional and societal development. Children are programmed to form attachments with their caregivers.

In particular, they bind to 1 person primarily, this is different from other bonds.

First 2.5 years are critical to from attachment and prevent later social difficulties

Early attachment creates mental framework for future relationship.

Question 14

What is the self concept and self esteem theory?

Answer 14

Self Concept = Self Image and Self Perception

Self Asteem = how much individuals like, value and accept themselves.

These are relates, positive self concept is positive self asteem and the other way around.

A inflated self esteem may lead to violence.

Question 15

What is Social Information Processing Theory by Dodge & Crick

Answer 15

Social Information Processing Theory by Dodge & Crick (1990) explains how children process social cues and respond to social situations. The theory outlines a series of steps that children go through when faced with a social challenge:

1. Encoding: Noticing and interpreting social cues.
2. Interpretation: Understanding the meaning of these cues.
3. Response Search: Thinking of possible responses.
4. Response Evaluation: Assessing the potential outcomes of these responses.
5. Enactment: Choosing and acting out the response.

This model helps explain why some children may develop aggressive behaviors if they misinterpret social cues or have a limited repertoire of responses²³.

Question 16

What is Social Learning Theory

Answer 16

Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura emphasizes that people learn new behaviors by observing and imitating others. Key points include:

1. Observation: Learning occurs by watching others.
2. Imitation: People replicate behaviors they observe.
3. Modeling: Individuals model their behavior based on observed actions.
4. Cognitive Factors: Attention, memory, and motivation play crucial roles in learning¹².

This theory highlights the importance of social context and cognitive processes in learning.

If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

Question 17

How does the social learning theory of bandura relate to violence?

Answer 17

Question 18

What are the flaws of the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 18

Information about the brain does not always say anything about behaviour.

Fror example, man got a brain tumor and developed phedophilia.