Amygdala

• perceive threat
• Linked to aggressive behaviour
• Coccaro- people with intermittent explosive disorder viewed face images, while in fMRI. Had high amygdala function when viewing angry faces

  + realism

  + everyday
• Gao- inhibit aggression through fear conditioning (punishment)

  Amygdala dysfunction means they are unable to identify cues that indicate threat

  Don't link punishment to their aggressive behaviour they appear fearless
• Longitudinal study tested fear conditioning at 3 measured by physical arousal (sweating) in response to painful noise. committed crime at age 23, showed no fear at 3.
• Gospic- money game. refusing unfair over seen as agressive

  fMRI heightened amygdala activity

  After seductive drug - reduce amygdala activity and rejection
• Pre-frontal and many connections - not only amygdala

  Oversimplified
• Damage amygdala affect the ability to process fear and anxiety which effects social function (empathy)- criminality more likely not inevitable
• Environmental and biology- more complex