lindsey- biochemical theories

• neurochemical: 


  neurochemical are the external factors on the brain chemistry and mental processing. External factors that affect= diet, pollution, emotional trauma, physical trauma, culture and customs, living conditions, drugs and educational provision
• sex hormones and criminality: 


  testosterone levels in males- Ellis and Coontz, testosterones levels are highest from puperty to early 20s this correlates with crime rates. PMT (premenstrual tension) and PND (post-natal)- partial legal defences for women with crimes of shoplifting and infanticide.
• neurochemical effects on crime - neurotransmitters:

  Dopamine (reward, pleasure, compulsion) low levels of it lead to: depression, boredum, apathy,fatigue Serotonin (mood, memory, sleep) low levels of it lead to: obsessive thinking, addiction, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder
• neurochemical effects on crime- blood sugar levels:

  Hypoglycaemia ( low blood sugar) triggers aggressive reactions Schoenthaler- young offenders should reduce sugar in take
• neurochemical effects on crime- substance abuse:

  Relaxants and stimulants can both be correlated with crime, synthetic food colouring. Tartrazine- hyperactivity/depression and anti social behaviour. Vitamin B deficiency- erratic and aggressive behaviour
• positives of Neurochemical effects on crime:

  Chemical imbalances are recognises in criminal law (miss us of drugs act),also recognised as partial defences in criminal law ( under the influence of alcohol),punishment can focus on providing support for addiction problems, adds to overall knowledge of risks of diet and substance abuse.
• negatives of neurochemical effects on crime:

  difficult to know the extent of biochemical effects- not often measurable at the time of an offence, all crime might have some chemical imbalance so not always useful as a particular cause of crime, diet and substance abuse might be more effected by social- economical factors rather that the biochemical changes themselves.
• what is methadone and is it good at reducing crime:

  methadone is a drug given to criminals to change how their brain and nervous system respond. it keeps people off the streets and stabilises their life, takes away the need to make money through crime to fund the habit. but it may not be effective and may have side effects to taking methadone