Neural Explanations Flashcards
What are the neuralchemical differences?
Noradrenaline
Serotonin
Dopamine
How could noradrenaline be linked to criminal behaviour?
It’s associated the fight or flight response. Raised levels may increase the likelihood of an aggressive reaction resulting in criminal behaviour
How can serotonin lead to criminal behaviour?
Involved in mood and impulse control. Changes in serotonin levels could increase the chances of an impulsive response in a person, maybe leading to criminal behaviour.
How can dopamine lead to criminal behaviour?
Released in the reward pathways when we do something pleasurable. For some people, this could be an aggressive act. It is also associated with substance misuse. Drugs affect dopamine levels and lead to addiction. Addiction makes a person more vulnerable to criminal behaviour.
finish the evaluation for neurochemical differences: supporting research
Brunner et al found evidence from a case study of a family of violent criminals that showed differences in the way serotonin was metabolised. They were aggressive showed borderline mental retardation and some had been in prison for attempted rape and assault. This study shows that cortisol affects behaviour. However as the men were all brought up in the same environment nurture could have played a part in the aggressive behaviour.
finish the evaluation: research into neurochemical effects on behaviour cannot definitively prove cause and effect
So it lacks clear experimental validity. The chemical imbalance may be cause by a pre existing mental health disorder, which may be the reason for crime
finish the evaluation: much of the research has been done on animals for ethical reasons.
This lacks generalisability due to the increased complexity of the human brain
What does the limbus system include?
Hippocampus
Amygdala, processes emotional information.
How can a smaller than average amygdala link to criminal behaviour?
It is linked to a lack of empathy, for example - a lack of guilt when harming someone else. This may lead to crime.
What other structure of the brain when damaged links to criminal behaviour?
Prefrontal cortex
finish the evaluation for structural differences of the brain: raine found lower activation in the prefrontal cortex when doing a pet scan
This suggests that there are differences in the brains of those who also and do not commit crime
finish the evaluation for structural differences in the brain: it is impossible from this to demonstrate causality
As other factors may be responsible for brain differences such as diet and damage during birth.
finish the evaluation for structural differences in the brain: not everyone with this type of neurology will go on to commit crime
This challenges the deterministic conclusions that could be drawn from the research. Some become successful in business, by using the traits associated with psychopathic personalities in a legal way.
finish the evaluation for structural differences in the brain: further research by raine
Shows that people with psychopathic personality characteristics have reduced frontal lobe volume, so the evidence is consistent.
finish the evaluation for structural differences in the brain: scientific research
The use of advanced scanning techniques increases the scientific validity of the research and makes the conclusions more objective and reliable.
