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Biological Explanation of Crime (Personality (Competing Argument (David…
Biological Explanation of Crime
Brain Injury
Williams et al 2010
196 inmates from 1 UK prison 2010
60% of the sample recalled history of 1 or more head injuries in youth
Tended to be younger at time of 1st offence, higher rates of re-offending, spent more time in prison over past 5 years than rest of the sample
Linked to offending - especially if got brain injury in childhood
Brain Injuries = Brain Misfire
Strength
Seena Fazel et al 2011
Analysed data from Swedish population register from 1979 - 2009
Individuals who experienced ABI 8.8% had committed violent crime compared to 3% in matched control group of similar size
Suggests physical trauma to brain may be precursor to violent crime
Competing Argument
Other variables may have an influence
Those who sustained serious head injury also more likely to experience mental illness, or be alcohol/drug abusers
These factors may create predisposition to offend, rather than brain injury itself
Amygdala
Almond shaped structure
Temporal lobe - both hemispheres of the brain
Important feature of the limbic system - how we react to threatening situations
Raine et al 1997
Reduced metabolic activity observed in several areas of the brain of psychopathic murderers including the left amygdala
Pardini et al 2014
Conducted neuroimaging scans on group of 26yr old men
Divided into groups on basis of normal sized amygdala or if had reduced volume
Reduced volume showed 3yrs later - more likely to be aggressive, violent & show psychopathic traits
Weakness
Other brain areas are implicate
Research suggests amygdala doesn't operate alone - heavily influenced by the OFC - part of the frontal lobe & not the limbic system
OFC thought to regulate self-control & its reduced functioning is associated with increased aggression & violent outbursts
Influence of amygdala on aggression is difficult to disentangle
XYY Syndrome
Small fraction of genetic males - 1 in 10,000 born with additional Y chromosome
No affect on testosterone levels or sexual development - but have some physical/behavioural differences
Generally taller, have lower intelligence, can be impulsive and experience behavioural differences
Patricia Jacobs et al 1965
Conducted chromosome survey of male patients at state hospital in Scotland
Researchers found that men with XYY chromosomal pattern were over-represented in prison populations (15 per 10,000) compared to the rest of the general population
Weakness
Lack of evidence
Meta-analysis by Laura Re & Jutta Birkhoff 2015
Considered 50yrs of evidence & concluded was no link between XYY & offending behaviour
Prevalence of XYY males in prison, could be better explained by social factors such as fact XYY characteristics make it harder for such men to integrate into society & find work
Not a credible explanation of crime
Personality
Combination of qualities/traits that are thought to form the distinctive character of a person
Extroversion - Introversion
Extroverts crave excitement & stimulation - prone to engage in dangerous, risk-taking behaviour - also don't condition easily (don't learn form their mistakes)
Criminal behaviour = extrovert may not be as affected by their punishment as an introvert
Neuroticism - Stability
Neurotic = nervy & anxious - instability = difficult to predict
Personality traits we develop are explained by the type of nervous system we inherit
Extroverts constant need for excitement - attributed to an under-active nervous system - needs high levels of arousal
Strength
Daniel Boduszek et al 2013
Investigated prevalence of Eysenck's personality traits among repeat offenders
133 violent & 179 non-violent male prisoners in high-security prison were studied
Eysenck's theory has validity as the personality types he identified are associated with repeat offending
Competing Argument
Evidence for criminal personality isn't conclusive
David Farrington et al 1982
Very little evidence Eysenck's questionnaire was adequate measure for predicting offending in juveniles or adults
Eysenck's original ideas about the nature if criminal personality may lack validity