Neurochemicals

• What is serotonin?


  Neurotransmitter that exerts a calming effect on the brain, linked to mood and impulsiveness.
• What do low levels of serotonin suggest?


  Less control in relation to aggressive behaviour.

  Low levels in amygdala are linked to explosive acts of violence.
• What are some examples of food that increases serotonin?


  Chicken, eggs, cheese, beef.
• What can steroids do to someone?


  Increases testosterone levels thus increasing acts of violence - 'roid rage'.
• What did Moir and Jessel (1995) find?


  Link between high levels of serotonin and aggression.
• What did Scerbo and Raine (1993) conduct?


  Conducted a meta-analysis on 29 pieces of research, into anti-social adults and children and found in all cases, low levels of serotonin.
• Who was Horace Williams?

  American body-builder. Beat a man to death after taking 2,000x the recommended dosage of steroids.
• 2 Strengths of Neurochemicals

  Strength - Helps to explain more aggressive or impulsive crimes.

  Strength - Supporting research from Raine et al found a link between abnormal brain function and criminal behaviour.
• 2 Limitations of Neurochemicals

  Limitation - Balanced diet (rich in serotonin) hard to achieve in prisons with violent offenders.

  Limitation - Doesn't explain how those with frontal lobe damage might not become a criminal.