Neuroscience and Criminal Behavior

Flashcards focused on vocabulary and definitions related to the neuroscience of criminal behavior.

Testosterone

A hormone linked to aggressive behavior and status striving, particularly in males.

Status Striving

A natural desire to achieve a certain social position or status, influenced by biologically predisposed factors.

Behavioral Activation System (BAS)

A neural system associated with the motivation to seek pleasure and rewards, regulated by dopamine.

Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)

A neural system that regulates avoidance behavior and modulates actions to prevent punishment, associated with serotonin.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals between neurons, with dopamine and serotonin being key players in regulating behavior.

Dendrites

Structures of a neuron that receive messages from neurotransmitters.

Synaptic Gap

The space between two neurons where neurotransmitters pass to transmit signals.

Reward Dominance Theory

A theory suggesting that behaviors are influenced by the balance of the BAS and BIS, which regulates pleasure-seeking and inhibition.

Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

A brain region involved in planning, moral judgment, and regulating emotions; damage can lead to altered behavior and impulse control.

Phineas Gage

A case study in psychology where a railroad spike went through his prefrontal cortex, altering his personality and behavior.

Low Serotonin Levels

Associated with poor impulse control and increased risk of criminal behavior.

ADHD

A condition characterized by difficulties in attention and impulse control, linked as a strong predictor of criminal behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

A method aimed at retraining thought processes and behavior in individuals with criminal tendencies.

Lobotomy

An outdated surgical procedure that involved severing connections in the brain; largely abandoned in modern psychology due to ethical considerations.

CRISPR

A gene-editing technology with potential applications in addressing genetic predispositions to criminal behavior, raising ethical concerns.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward-seeking behavior; overproduction can lead to impulsivity.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and inhibiting behaviors; low levels are linked to increased impulsivity.