Role of the Amygdala Flashcards
Where is the amygdala located?
In the medial temporal lobe
What is the amygdala and what is it responsible for?
A small portion of the brain that is responsible for emotions, fear and emotions and how we respond to threat
What did Coccaro (2007) find in relation to the amygdala and aggression?
Studied people with IED in comparison to controls in which each partici0pant looked at images of faces whilst having an fMRI scan - participants with IED showed higher levels of amygdala activity when they viewed angry faces
What is IED?
Impulsive explosive disorder - frequent outbursts of aggression and anger
How can Coccaro (2007) research be used to support the biological explanations for criminal behaviour?
Biological function and differences shows an increase in aggression and therefore more likely to commit crimes
What is fear conditioning?
Learning to control our aggressive behaviours through punishment as a child
How does the dysfunction of the amygdala lead to aggressive behaviour?
Dysfunction of the amygdala means a child cannot pick up on social ques that may indicate threat and may seem fearless, overly aggressive and anti-social
How can fear conditioning be used to explain criminal behaviour?
If fear conditioning did not take place as a child, child may grow up believing that aggressive behaviour is acceptable leading to criminal behaviour
What did Gao et al (2010) suggest about fear conditioning?
Poor fear conditioning as a child can increase risk of criminal behaviour as fearlessness should be prevented
What did Raine et al find in terms of the amygdala function of the murderers in comparison to the controls?
Hemispheric asymmetry in amygdala functioning
Reduced left side and greater right side activity which produces unusual emotional responses such as lack of fear
How can Raine’s research explain criminal behaviour?
Lack of emotion (guilt or fear) leads to an increased chance of committing crime
What is a limitation of the role of the amygdala in relation to biological reductionism?
The theory is reductionist and disregards other contributing factors to criminal behaviour such as environmental influences - however reducing the reason for criminal behaviour allows us to create treatments easier
What is a limitation of the role of the amygdala in relation to biological determinism?
The theory is deterministic and it suggests we have no control over our behaviour as it is pre-determined through the biological function of the amygdala - however the idea of determinism allows us to use preventative treatments early
What is a strength of the role of the amygdala in relation to supporting evidence?
Research to support the idea that the amygdala for in criminality - Raine et al found hemispheric asymmetry of the amygdala in murderers compared to a control group therefore shows correlation between the amygdala and criminal behaviour
