biological- hormone treatment

• main info about males and crime?

  • 2013, difference in male and female offenders is 80%/20%
  • peak age for males to carry out offending behaviour = 17
  • aggressive hormone = testosterone
• what drug is used to treat the hormone testosterone?

  MPA, works by decreasing functioning of testosterone. chemical is known as anti-androgen (break down and eliminate testosterone by inhibiting production of testosterone)

  • brings about reduction in sexual drive and possible aggression
• side effects of MPA?

  breast enlargement, osteoporosis, depression, decreased sperm production

  • very unpleasant!
• strengths of hormone treatment?

  • supported by research, scientific so hormone treatments are effective (Maletzky 2006)
  • it benefits society since recidivism rates have decreased using the treatment. demonstrating usefulness=use of psychological knowledge in society. decreasing sexual need through use of MPA in male offenders
• weaknesses of hormone treatment?

  • Maletzky, parole officers filling questionnaire may be biased (subjective criteria) and retrospective review may be biased when looking into inaccurate past.
  • ethical issues, MPA can cause serious side effects so protection from harm? if person has to take medication they may need to be restrained, goes against freewill as well as restricting sexual freedoms
  • hormone treatments are reductionist, only one treatment is given rather than and social or cognitive factors that can impact