Neural explanation of crime

What are neural explanations?

argue criminal behaviour is linked to abnormalities in brain structure, brain or neurotransmitters

Malfunctions in limbic system linked to violent crime

increase in strong emotions like anger and then leads to violence
may also explain why psychopaths find it hard to empathise or show remorse

Limbic system

amygdala - processing strong emotions like anger
pre frontal cortex - think through consequences

Low serotonin

mood regulation hormone
associated with impulsivity and aggression

Low serotonin theory of crime

communication is weakened between amygdala and PFC
more likely to act on aggressive, angry feelings

Raine (1997) - method

brain scans to show abnormalities in limbic system in violent crimes
brain scan - 41 murderers, control of non murderers

Raine - findings

decrease activity in Pfc in murderers, abnormal activity in amygdala
led to extreme anger as less able to control angry impulse

Passamonti (2011) - method

manipulated serotonin levels (what they ate)
each P tested twice on daily basis
fMRI - P watched diff reaction faces
measured activity in amy and Pfc and personality questionnaire to test natural aggression

Passamonti (2011) - findings

low serotonin days, agressive Ps showed weak comm between Pfc and amy
‘weak’ comms - hard for Pfc to control feelings of anger

Passamonti - conclusion

those who had natural anger struggled the most on low serotonin days

AO3 - Treatment

meds like SSRI used to increase serotonin levels, used in juveniles to decrease aggression
important to treat for individuals and society

AO3 - legal

offenders not acting on free will - diminishes responsibility
shorter sentences and secure hospitals for treatment

AO3 - non aggressive crimes

doesn’t explain for non violent, pre planned crimes BUT
malfunctions in amy can explain lack of remorse