evaluation of neurotransmitter explanation

• empirical evidence reliably demonstrates that abnormal neurotransmitter levels are associated with increased aggressive and antisocial behaviour, however the exact nature of this relationship is not clear e.g. some studies show high levels while others show low.
• it is not clear whether there is a causal relationship between neurotransmitter levels and antisocial behaviour e.g. there may be mediating factors such as external stress
• there could be very important practical applications of developing a complete understanding of the relationship between abnormal neurotransmitter levels and offending behaviour. such understanding could lead to the development of drugs to stabilise the neurotransmitter levels and thus treat offenders
• as criminals are studied after being convicted of offending, no direct causal link can be established between anomalies in neurological function and criminal behaviour.

  e.g. it is not established that neurological differences preceded the offending behaviour
• it is also not clear what the causes of the neurological differences are

  e.g. whether present at birth or due to brain injury, adverse childhood experiences or poor nutrition
• much of the research has been focused on those with APD. it is not clear how representative APD criminals are of offenders in general

  • Black et al 2010 found that only 35% of a sample of incarcerated offenders had APD in the USA. findings cannot be generalised to other criminal types, particularly those involved in non-violent offences such as fraud