Neural explanations

• What are neural explanations?

  Any explanation of behaviour in terms of functions of the brain and nervous system
• What does APD stand for?

  Anti-social personality disorder
• What is APD associated with?

  Reduced emotional responses, a lack of empathy
• How does APD link to criminality?

  Many convicted criminals have APD
• How do psychopath's amygdala differ?

  18% reduced volume (Raine 2009)
• What is the amygdala?

  “The amygdala is the seat of emotion. Psychopaths lack emotion. They lack empathy, remorse, guilt” 
• How does white matter differ in criminals?

  Criminals have a lower volume (Raine 2009)
• How do serotonin levels differ between criminals?

  Compulsive violent criminals have lower serotonin levels than planned violent criminals (Virkkunen et al 1994)
• What did Beggard et al (2003) find?

  Serotonergic dysfunction links to criminal behaviour
• What are strengths of neural explanations?

  • Criminality can be treated: giving criminals SSRIs
  • Supporting evidence: Raine 2009 and Beggard 2003
• What are weaknesses of neural explanations?

  • Alternative explanations: genetic
  • Real life implications: how do you decide moral responsibility?