Biological key question

• What is the biological key question?

  How can we use biological explanations to treat and explain impulsive violence?
• PARAGRAPH 1 - Impulsivity + Amygdala

  Impulsivity (AO1)

  • Predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions
  • Leads to increased violence rates (social)
  • More people going to prison puts a strain on resources (finances)

  Amygdala (AO2)

  • Limbic system is linked to aggression
  • Amygdala regulates fight of flight and impulsivity
  • Smaller amygdala links to more aggressive behaviour
  • Smaller amygdala, higher likelihood of impulsive aggression
• PARAGRAPH 2 - Offenders + Hormones

  Higher in men (AO1)

  • Prevalence of impulsivity is 16.9%
  • Significantly higher in men in younger age groups (18-29 years old)
  • High prevalence rates in males, results in a high percentage of young male offenders in prison

  Hormones (AO2)

  • Testosterone is found more in males
  • Increased levels of aggression
  • Dabbs et al
  • Produced in spurts which explains impulsivity as they can go from calm to angry in matter of minutes
• PARAGRAPH 3 - Serotonin + SSRIs

  Serotonin (AO1)

  • Low levels of serotonin in the pre-frontal cortex link to aggression
  • Difficult for pre-frontal cortex to control emotional responses
  • High prevalence rates triggers the need to target the cause for impulsive behaviour, such as low serotonin

  SSRIs (AO2)

  • SSRIs inhibit impulsive behaviours
  • Such medication is readily available and could be a preventative measure in lowering impulse violence
• PARAGRAPH 4 - Ethics + Progesterone

  Ethics (AO1)

  • Sexual violence has been treated using depo-provera which is injected into males to increase levels of progesterone
  • Inhibits the production of testosterone, reducing sexual drive
  • Poses an ethical debate about using chemical treatments to reduce impulsive violence

  Progesterone (AO2)

  • Higher levels reduce aggression
  • Associated with females who are nurturing and calm
  • Artificially increasing progesterone levels in men, leads to less violent behaviour