The brains only weights 3 pounds but has over 100 billion cells.

HUMAN BRAIN The brain is divided into two hemispheres- the right and the left hemisphere.

RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN Left Hemisphere- linear thinking mode Right hemisphere- holistic thinking mode

RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERES Right Hemisphere Organizes or groups information together Role in putting things together Visual activities Music Expressing emotions Reading emotions Understanding geometric properties

RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERES Left Hemisphere Analyzes information collected by the right. Takes information from the right hemisphere and applies language to it. Language skills Skilled movement Analytical time sequence processing

Parts of the Brain The brain is divide into three major sections Forebrain Midbrain Hindbrain

Parts of the Brains Forebrain-covers brains central core-higher thinking processes. Midbrain- integrates sensory information and relays it upward Hindbrain- rear base of the skull-basic processes of life

FOREBRAIN Forebrain-covers brain’s central core Cerebral cortex (cerebrum) higher thinking processes Thalamas-integrates sensory input Hypothalamus- controls hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior as well as changes in temperature.

MIDBRAIN Midbrain-integrates sensory information and relays in upward Alerts brain to incoming signals Involved in sleep and wake cycle

HINDBRAIN At rear base of skull-basic processes of life Helps control posture, balance and voluntary movements as well as breathing, heart rate and reflexes

What are lobes? Different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided (cerebral cortex is in the forebrain)

Lobes of the brains

LOBES

Four types of lobes Occipital-visual signals are processed Parietal-information from senses from all over the body Temporal-hearing memory emotion and speaking Frontal –organization, planning and creative thinking

CORPUS CALLOSUM The function is to connect the left and right side of brain (hemisphere). The two hemispheres are physically separate and their only connection is through the corpus callosum, a thick white band of nerves deep within the brain. It allows the two hemispheres to communicate and coordinate their activities.

The Nervous System Consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system

Biological theories of crime Genetic vulnerabilities, neuropsychological abnormalities, or biological irregularities that predispose a person to crime

Biological theories of crime Twins: Monozygotic (identical) – share the exact same genes Dizygotic (fraternal) – no more alike than siblings Twin studies: (Nature v. Nurture) Nature: tendencies of violent behavior, aggression, personality traits, etc Nurture: If raised apart, how alike are they in terms of traits mentioned above? Are they different because of environment?

Biological theories of crime Genetic and biological influences on crime: 1. Low MAO-A in combination with a history of maltreatment MAO-A – an enzyme in the body that affects neurotransmitters (people with borderline personality disorder and mental retardation were completely lacking this enzyme) Could affect impulsivity and a chance of anti-social behavior (psychopath)

Biological theories of crime Neuropsychological abnormalities: Neuro (of the brain): Slow brain wave patterns for instance can indicate under arousal – need for thrill seeking and will seek out violent crimes

Biological theories of crime Autonomic nervous system (ANS) differences: Heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, respiration (all of these effect emotional arousal) Offenders have shown a lower level of autonomic arousal

Biological theories of crime Physiological differences 1. high levels of testosterone – could lead to higher levels of aggression 2. increased secretion of insulin – sluggish/under aroused 3. lower levels of serotonin – less levels of the happy hormone

Biological theories of crime Personality and temperament differences: Temperament – agitated, fussy, etc Personality traits: Under control or lack of control Unfriendliness Irritability Low empathy Callous emotionality Tendency to become easily frustrated

Central Nervous System Made up of the brain and the spinal cord Sends messages out to the peripheral nervous system and back to the brain

Central Nervous System Brain is the crowning glory of the central nervous system. Spinal cord- extension of the brain, runs down the center of the back ending at the waist.

Peripheral Nervous System Smaller branches of nerves that reach the other parts of your body from the spinal cord Sends messages to the central nervous system and back

Peripheral Nervous System Consists of two parts Somatic nervous system- part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary activity Autonomic nervous system-part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary activities

Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System Controls voluntary activity Movement commands to muscles Examples Include: Bending Stretching Walking Kicking

Autonomic Nervous System Involuntary Movements Examples include: heart rate digestion blood pressure blinking gas pupil contraction and dilation breathing

Nervous System and Criminality Some criminals are thought to differ from non- criminals in that they show chronically low levels of autonomic arousal and weaker physiological reactions to stimulation. These could cause Difficulty learning how to inhibit behavior likely to lead to punishment High need for extra stimulation that they gratify through aggressive thrill seeking.

Other vocabulary Gene: molecular unit of heredity of a living organism Chromosome: an organized structure of DNA. Normally, humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (23 from mom and 23 from dad)