Exam 1 FBS 153

what is criminal behavior?

• intentional behavior that violates a law. wanting to do a behavior

limbic system

a complex set of structures in the brain that regulates emotions, memory, and arousal.

• gas “go”

prefrontal cortex

the part of the brain associated with decision making, impulse control, and complex cognitive behavior.

• brakes. “stop”

amygdala

a small almond-shaped structure in the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions, especially fear and pleasure.

• mediates/moderates both of those behaviors

brain imaging

helps visualize the structure, function & activity of the brain. helps diagnose medical conditions, study brain function and guide medical treatments.

• eeg= wavelengths, brain activity.

• pet= addiction able to be seen. ideal for localizing dysfunction.

• mri= 3d, strokes, tumors, malformations, etc.

accuracy of fbi crime statistics?

The accuracy of FBI crime statistics refers to the reliability and validity of the data collected by the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, which may be influenced by factors such as voluntary reporting by law enforcement agencies and variations in local crime definitions.

• not that reliable

use dependence

neurons develop only when exercises, if they don’t they are cut from the team.

• infrequently “fired” neurons are subject to weak response or apoptosis

• fired repeatedly= better, stronger, faster

• use it or lose it

apoptosis/pruning

the removal of unused synapses

• makes brain more effective

• as much as 1% loss each year

crime less likely to be reported to the police?

sexual assault

calorie percentage that goes to brain?

25%

crime rate for the last 20 years?

has decreased

neuroplasticity

the ability for the brain to change.

• age increase= plasticity increase

teratogen

any substance/ factor that can cause birth defects or developmental issues in a fetus during pregnancy.

• drugs and medication, infections, environmental factors

• teratogenic exposure (hostile/unsafe environments)

substance with most profound effect regarding crime?

alcohol

difference between classical and positivist criminology

• classical criminology: crime is logical and rational, based on free will, decision to violate law is a choice, hedonism. (bentham and beccaria)

• positivist criminology: crime is heritable and predetermined. crime is chosen by default not from logic, criminal behavior happens in the absence of social controls (lombroso)

temperament

baseline attitude, mood, interaction style, method of relation- perceivable usually state of an infant.

• will be there whether you like it or not

• three assumptions: constitutional or biological basis, appears in infancy and configures throughout life, influenced by the environment.

what does the brain use for food?

glucose

do neurons actually touch each other when they talk?

no. they transmit signals through small gaps (synapses)

is there a relationship between poverty and crime?

relationship is not well understood but it does exist.

conduct disorder and adhd

• conduct disorder: persistent misbehavior (stealing, fighting), catch-all category, signs may occur as early as age three. often mislabeled as learning disability or adhd.

• adhd: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.