Topic 2.1- Biochemical explanations of criminality (Biological)

Question 1

Meaning of biochemical substances

Answer 1

Substances released by the body, or is inserted which have an effect on brain chemistry and mental processes.

Question 2

Effect on testosterone (sex hormone) upon the body?

Answer 2

Testosterone levels peak from puberty to early 20s, and can cause extreme aggression, along with emotional disturbances in under/over production.

Question 3

Effect of Pre-Menstrual tension

Answer 3

It affects judgement, boosts likeliness of depression and lessens self control

Question 4

How does the lack of Vitamin B affect the body?

Answer 4

It causes erratic and aggressive behaviour, which can lead to the occurrence of public disturbances.

Question 5

How does Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycaemia) affect the body?

Answer 5

It triggers aggressive reactions, which can be further influenced by too much consumption of alcohol.

Question 6

Raines’ Study

Answer 6

.conducted an analysis on 29 studies of anti-social adults and children, which have all been found to have low levels of serotonin

Question 7

Strengths

Answer 7

.sexual hormones, blood sugar levels and substance abuse can affect mood, judgement and aggression
.There is a correlation of the peak testosterone and peak criminality
.The law states that if a mother kills her baby as a result of post-natal depression then she has partial defence of murder- this has been recognised in courts
.high levels of testosterone in young males can lead to verbal aggression
.alcohol produces the reduction of self control, leading to crime

Question 8

Limitations

Answer 8

.Biochemical may predispose some individual offending but it may lead to a trigger of the environment for crime to actually occur
.Brown found that testosterone levels do not greatly affect aggression levels in most men