(neural) Bio explanations of criminal behaviour

• Neural explanations

  • Neural explanations include brain structures and neurotransmitters
• Raine et al (1997)

  • Raine et al (1997) compared brain scans conducted on 41 convicted murderers and with brain scans conducted on 41 control participants. The researchers observed that the murderers had reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex and the corpus callosum compared to the control group. This suggests that criminals may have certain brain structures that cause criminal behaviour.
• Neurotransmitters

  • Neurotransmitters may also explain criminal behaviour e.g. Brunner et al (1993) demonstrates a link between the MAOA gene and criminal behaviour. This gene results in abnormal processing of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which may be the mechanism through which these genes increase violent behaviour.
• AO3-small sample sizes

  the population of serious criminals are hard to gain scientific access to. Further, brain-scanning tools are highly expensive. These considerations mean studies of neural explanations of criminal behaviour often use small sample sizes. These small sample sizes mean such studies may not be valid when applied to the wider population
• AO3-ethical issues

  - An implication of Raine's research is that brain scans in childhood could be used to identify potentially violent criminals of the future. This policy, if enacted, could potentially reduce crime but is socially sensitive because it could lead to discrimination against people with these brain structures
• AO3-Conflicting evidence

  evidence linking neurotransmitters and aggressive or criminal behaviour is often contradictory e.g. The MAOA gene results in high serotonin and is associated with criminal behaviour, but some studies suggest low