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criminal psychology - what makes a criminal? (raine et al (Background…
criminal psychology - what makes a criminal?
raine et al
Background
Found a relationship between low levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex and aggressive behaviour
limbic system linked to agressive behaviour
Aims
look at direct measures of both cortical and subcortical brain functioning using PET scans in a group of murders who were pleading not guilty for reasons of insanity
Method
Participants: 41 murders and a control group of 41 matched to the murders
Controls
1876 cesare lombroso put the theory forward that criminals were subspecies of human
identified by there narrow sloping brow or physiological anomalies such as extra nipples, toes or fingers
physiological and non physiological explantations
physiological - brain dsyfunction
low acitivity in the pre frontal cortex causes low resting heart beat
extravert personalitys set out to increase there heart rate
prefrontal cortex performs a number of important cognitive functions
e.g recieves incoming info from nervous system, planning and regulation body behaviour, attention
if there is low arousal in prefrontal cortex then these actions are impaired
physiological explantation - how do genes influence criminal behaviour
Han Brunner created the idea of a criminal gene
MAOA gene also known as the warrior gene
found to be linked to violent behaviour
MAOA function is to breakdown excess serotonin to help control serotonin levels
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Non-physiological explanations
criminal behaviour is due to upbringing