Treatments: Biological Treatment

Question 1

High Sugar Diets and Crime

Answer 1

Moore et al found that in a group of offenders, 69% reported eating confectionary almost everyday in childhood.

High sugar diet increases blood sugar levels and glucose, therefore more insulin. Eventually leading to hypoglycaemia which is associated with irritability, difficulty making decisions and sometimes violence.

Question 2

Vitamins, Minerals and Fatty Acids

Answer 2

Brain function depends on biochemical processes, which rely on vitamins and minerals.

Most important in relation to crim behaviour is unsaturated fatty acids.

The more junk food consumed, the less nutritional content; has been linked to depression and aggression.

Question 3

Diet Changes as a treatment for Crime

Answer 3

Baseline measure of diet established to see what minerals they need. Multivitamin added to diet and behaviour monitored.

Question 4

Gesch 2002

Answer 4

• 231 inmates.
• 1 group given healthy nutrition with normal diet; other group had a placebo.
• Double blind procedure.
• Baseline measure of diet, anger, anxiety and depression.
• Healthy group had 35.1% reduction on disciplinary incidents, placebo was 6.7%.
• Good diet decreased ASB.

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

Study found a 48% reduction in disciplinary incidents in 276 young offenders. Conducted over 2 years and reduced sugar consumed.

Suggests high sugar diet associated with ASB.

Question 6

Competing

Answer 6

Gesch and this study were conducted in lab settings where behaviour highly controlled.

Not life-like.

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

Difficult to establish cause and effect between diet and crime as crime is a very complex social activity unlikely to be addressed by treating 1 factor. Bad diets more likely to be living in economically deprived areas, could be the cause.