Weakness 1: other brain areas are important (8)

• the amygdala = linked to wider brain systems, does not operate on its own to determine aggressive criminal behaviour
• the amygdala operates with the orbitofrontal cortex - thought to influence self-control, impulsive behaviour + inhibition of aggression
• Raine et al (1997): studied murderers whose crimes involved reactive aggression
• these individuals had greater glucose metabolism in amygdalae + significantly reduced metabolism in prefrontal cortex
• demonstrates how complex regulation of aggressive criminal behaviour is: involves at least 3 brain structures (amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex and neural connection between them)
• shows dysfunctions of amygdala may not be enough on their own to account for criminal behaviour: the neurology of aggressive criminal behaviour = complex
• focusing on amygdala alone is too simple - reductionist
• rather, criminal behaviour appears to be the result of many influences involving neural connectivity between several brain structures and areas