Criminology - U2 - Brain Injuries and Disorders Evaluation

Strength: Brain Injury Can Lead to Behavioural Changes

Brain injury or disease, particularly affecting the frontal lobe, can alter an individual's behaviour, leading to impulsivity, aggression, or anti-social tendencies. For example, Blumer et al. (1975) found that a frontal lobe injury was associated with the development of anti-social personality disorder, showing how brain injury can lead to problematic behaviour.

Strength: Correlations Between EEG Readings and Psychopathy

Research has shown a correlation between EEG readings (which measure brain activity) and psychopathic criminality. This suggests that brain abnormalities, such as those observed in psychopathic individuals, may play a role in criminal behaviour.

Strength: Increased Likelihood of Brain Injury in Prisoners

Specialists from multiple universities and research centres claim that prisoners are more likely to have experienced brain injuries compared to the general population. A review published in The Lancet Psychiatry suggests that up to 60% of individuals in custody have suffered some kind of head injury, ranging from mild to severe. These injuries, caused by falls, assaults, or road accidents, may alter brain structure and increase the likelihood of violent offending.

Weakness: Crimes Caused by Brain Injury Are Rare

While some extreme cases suggest a link between brain injury and criminal behaviour, crimes specifically caused by brain injury are rare. The number of crimes directly caused by brain damage is minimal, which weakens the argument that brain injury is a common cause of criminal behaviour.

Weakness: Some Psychopaths Have Normal EEG Readings

Not all psychopaths show abnormal EEG readings, meaning that brain abnormalities cannot fully explain the behaviour of all individuals who engage in psychopathic criminality. Some psychopaths exhibit normal brain function, suggesting other factors contribute to their behaviour.

Weakness: Brain Injury and Criminality Are Not Clearly Linked

It's unclear whether brain injury is the cause of criminal behaviour or whether criminal behaviour causes brain injury. Further research is needed to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between brain injuries and offending.

Weakness: Cause and Effect Issues in Brain Injury and Criminality

Although studies show a link between brain damage and aggression, case studies typically examine individuals after they have committed a crime. This raises the question of whether the brain injury causes the criminal behaviour or if the criminal behaviour leads to brain damage.

Weakness: Alternative Explanations for Criminality

Brain injury alone cannot fully explain criminal behaviour. Other factors, such as social influences, self-fulfilling prophecy, and labelling, may contribute to criminality. Thus, it is too simplistic to attribute criminality solely to brain injury.