6.1.1 Biological Explanations

• Reduced activity in the amygdala may lead to callous behavior and lack of empathy
• Match the brain area with its function and association with criminal behavior.

  Prefrontal cortex ↔️ Decision-making, impulse control

  Amygdala ↔️ Processes fear and aggression

  Limbic system ↔️ Regulates emotions and behavior
• Which neurochemical regulates mood and impulse control?

  Serotonin
• Imbalances in dopamine levels can lead to risk-taking and antisocial behavior.
• High levels of testosterone have been linked to increased aggression
• Low levels of serotonin are associated with impulsivity and aggression.
• What are the three main biological factors suggested to influence criminal behavior in biological explanations?

  Genetics, brain structure, neurochemistry
• Biological explanations propose that criminal tendencies can be inherited or result from physiological abnormalities
• Twin studies are used to investigate the role of genetics in criminal behavior.
• Neurobiology focuses on brain structure and function abnormalities to explain criminal behavior
• Biochemical imbalances, such as hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, are studied in biological explanations of criminality.
• What type of studies are used to investigate genetic factors in criminality?

  Twin and adoption studies
• Identical twins show higher concordance rates for criminal behavior compared to fraternal twins.
• Twin and adoption studies suggest that environmental factors also play a crucial role
• What research methods are used to investigate the role of genetics in criminal behavior?

  Twin and adoption studies
• Identical twins show higher concordance rates for criminal behavior compared to fraternal twins.
• Adopted children with biological parents who have criminal records are more likely to engage in criminal activities
• Match the twin type with its genetic similarity and concordance rate:

  Identical twins ↔️ 100% genetic similarity, 50-60% concordance rate

  Fraternal twins ↔️ 50% genetic similarity, 20-30% concordance rate
• Which area of the brain is involved in decision-making, impulse control, and moral judgment?

  Prefrontal cortex
• Reduced activity in the amygdala may lead to callous behavior and lack of empathy.
• Violent offenders often have smaller prefrontal cortices and lower activity in the amygdala
• What are the three main biological factors that biological explanations of criminality focus on?

  Genetics, brain structure, neurochemistry
• Twin and adoption studies are used to investigate the role of genetics in criminal behavior.
• What is the primary focus of biological explanations of criminality?

  Biological factors
• Biological explanations of criminality suggest that criminal behavior is influenced by biological factors such as genetics, brain structure, and neurochemistry
• Twin and adoption studies are used to investigate the influence of genetics on criminal behavior.
• What are the three main biological factors influencing criminal behavior according to biological explanations?

  Genetics, brain structure, neurochemistry
• Neurobiology examines brain structure and function abnormalities, which can contribute to criminal behavior
• Biochemical imbalances, such as hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, are linked to criminal behavior.
• Order the twin types based on concordance rates for criminal behavior from highest to lowest.

  1️⃣ Identical twins

  2️⃣ Fraternal twins
• Adopted children with biological parents who have criminal records are more likely to engage in criminal activities
• Match the twin type with its genetic similarity and concordance rate for criminal behavior.

  Identical ↔️ 100% genetic similarity, 50-60% concordance

  Fraternal ↔️ 50% genetic similarity, 20-30% concordance
• Environmental factors play no role in criminal behavior according to genetic studies.

  False
• Which brain area is involved in decision-making, impulse control, and moral judgment?

  Prefrontal cortex
• What is the function of serotonin in mood regulation and impulse control?

  Regulates mood and impulse
• Dopamine imbalances have been linked to risk-taking and antisocial behavior
• High levels of testosterone may contribute to violent behavior.
• Match the neurochemical with its association with criminality:

  Serotonin ↔️ Low levels linked to aggression

  Dopamine ↔️ Imbalances lead to risk-taking

  Testosterone ↔️ High levels linked to violence
• Order the neurochemicals based on their primary associations with criminality from most to least direct:

  1️⃣ Testosterone

  2️⃣ Dopamine

  3️⃣ Serotonin
• What is the reward-processing function of dopamine?

  Reward processing