Neural Explanations

Question 1

What kind of explanation is the neural explanation?

Answer 1

• Biological

Question 2

How do neurons explain offending behaviour?

Answer 2

• Explains behaviour in terms if its disorders and dysfunctions if the brain and nervous system
• This includes the activity of brain structures such as the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine

Question 3

What is meant by ‘Neural explanations of offending behaviour’?

Answer 3

• A biological theory that sees abnormally functioning brain physiology and biochemistry as forming the basis to an individual’s criminal behaviour

Question 4

Which disorder can explain offending behaviour in this lesson and how?

Answer 4

• APD, it is a mental health condition where a person has a repeated pattern of manipulating or violating the rights of others which often leads to crimes against people
• Evidence suggests that there may be neural differences in the brains if offenders and non offenders as individuals diagnosed with APD (associated with the lack of empathy) is a condition that characterises many convicted offenders

Question 5

How does Testosterone explain offending behaviour?

Answer 5

• Research found that levels of testosterone were positively correlated with aggressiveness but not impulsivity (the higher the testosterone, the higher the aggression)

Question 6

How does Dopamine explain offending behaviour?

Answer 6

• Dopamine is implicated with offending behaviour ad it links to addiction and therefore substance abuse which makes crime more likely as Dopaminergic activity in the limbic system means that pleasure is experienced, the greater the activity, the greater feeling if pleasure

Question 7

How does Serotonin explain offending behaviour?

Answer 7

• It was found that levels of serotonin were negatively correlated with impulsive behaviour and extreme aggression (extreme pain or death) but not general aggression (emotional manipulation or pushing)