Biological treatment crim

• What is the primary assumption behind biological treatments for sexual deviancy?

  Sexual deviancy is caused by biological drives
• What are the two types of drug treatments used in biological treatments for sexual deviancy?

  Hormone and Neurotransmitter
• How does Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) work in reducing sexual activity?

  Increases metabolism of testosterone and inhibits gonadotrophins
• What effect do anti-depressants have on serotonin levels in the brain?

  Increase serotonin levels by affecting reuptake mechanism
• How do anti-psychotics affect dopamine levels in the brain?

  Reduce or block dopamine activity in the limbic region
• What are common side effects of pharmacological treatments for sexual deviancy?

  Breast enlargement, weight gain, blood clots, osteoporosis
• Why are hormonal treatments often restricted to high-risk offenders?

  Due to the impact of side effects
• What did Meyer (1992) find regarding the re-offending rate of males treated with MPA?

  35% re-offending rate after treatment
• What did Gagne (1981) find about the effectiveness of MPA combined with therapy?

  Reduction in sexual fantasies/arousal and deviant behavior
• What did Ireland (2000) find about the effectiveness of anger management in prisoners?

  92% showed improvement in behavior
• Why might anger management be more effective than MPA for some offenders?

  If sex-based crimes are due to anger
• What ethical issue is raised by forcing drug treatments on offenders?

  Socially sensitive treatment shouldn't be forced
• What are the main effects of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)?

  • Increases metabolism of testosterone
  • Inhibits secretion of gonadotrophins
  • Reduces testosterone production
  • Reduces violence against others
• What are the main effects of anti-depressants in biological treatments?

  • Increase serotonin levels
  • Cause loss of libido or erectile dysfunction
  • Affect dopamine levels, limiting reward pathway
• What are the main effects of anti-psychotics in biological treatments?

  • Reduce or block dopamine activity
  • Cause impotence and loss of libido
  • Common side effects: acne, muscle loss
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of pharmacological treatments for sexual deviancy?

  Strengths:

  • Reduces sex drive and deviant fantasies
  • Reduces aggression
  • Effective when combined with therapy

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Side effects: breast enlargement, weight gain, blood clots, osteoporosis
  • Ethical issues with forced treatment
  • Not effective for all offenders
• What are the ethical considerations in using biological treatments?

  • Socially sensitive: treatment shouldn't be forced
  • Potential for social control
  • Side effects may lead to refusal or discontinuation
• For which types of offenders are pharmacological interventions typically used?

  Those with paraphilia or offense-specific patterns of sexual arousal
• What are the effects of pharmacological treatments on sex drive and aggression?

  Reduce sex drive, deviant fantasies, and sometimes aggression
• Supporting evidence 1 of biological treatments

  Meyer found that males who underwent MPA had recidivism rates of 35% compared to 55% for controls. This shows that biological treatments such as MPA are an effective way of reducing violent behaviour caused by biological drives
• Supporting evidence 2 of biological treatments

  Maletzky found that those who received MPA were less likely to reoffend than controls, showing that biological treatments are effective at reducing violent behaviour through biological drives.
• Weakness 1 of biological treatments

  Ireland found that 92% of those who underwent CBT did not reoffend suggesting psychological treatments are more effective at reducing violent behaviour compared to biological treatments.
• Weakness 2 of biological treatments

  Gagne found that both psych and bio treatments are needed for success as 83% of sex offenders who underwent MPA and therapy had a reduction in deviant sexual behaviour. This suggests that for biological treatments to be most effective they need to be combined with a psychological treatment.