brain injuries+biochemical reactions
Cards (7)
- biochemical explanations
- KEY IDEA = biochemical substances and processes linked to criminality
- male sex hormones = Ellis and Coontz found testosterone peaks puberty to early 20's same as criminality
- female sex hormones = PMT, PND and lactation all used as a defence in court due to affected mood control
- blood sugar = hypoglycaemia is linked to aggression
- substance abuse = prescription or illegal drugs and alcohol linked to crime can lead to aggression
- other substances = lead, tartrazine linked to hyperactivity. vitamin B deficiency is linked to erratic behaviour
- strengths of biochemical explanations
- these factors are recognised by the courts
- sex hormones, alcohol and drugs are all known to affect mood behaviour
- biochemical weaknesses:
- biochemical processes may need an environmental trigger too
- some studies find testosterone not linked to physical aggression
- infanticide may be caused by isolation rather than hormones
- brain injuries
- KEY IDEA = brain injury can change personality and are more common in prisoners
- CASE STUDY= Phineas gage had a metal rod through the brain. he survived but his personality changed
- brain disorders:
- KEY IDEA = some brain diseases have been linked with criminal or anti social behaviour. for example dementia and Huntington's
- EEG readings = some studies show abnormal EEG readings in psychopathic criminals
- strengths of brain injuries and disorders:
- some correlation between abnormal EEG readings and psychopathy
- prisoners are more likely than non prisoners to have brain injury
- few extreme cases do show brain injury leads to changes in behaviour including criminality
- limitations of brain injuries and disorders:
- abnormal EEG is not necessarily the cause and not found in all psychopaths
- crimes caused by brain injury or disease are rare. original personality is more important
- prisoners higher likelihood of brain injury may be affect of criminality not cause. for example getting into fights