3. Biological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour
Objectives for topic
Describe two biological explanations of Criminal behaviour...
* Inherited Criminality – Genes !
*The Role of the Amygdala – Brain Structure!
Be able to evaluate these explanations and research evidence that supports or contradicts them.
To consider how this knowledge could be applied to reduce/modify criminal behaviour

4. Big Picture Does our biology predispose us to criminality?
Learning Focus:-
Consider the nature/nurture debate in Psychology
Be able to describe recent evidence on the importance of genes in criminality

5. Nature or Nurture?

6. Nature Nurture And the interaction between them Genes Environment
Influences that occur outside the individual could be
Pre-natal environment
Diet
Pollution
Family/peers
Media

7. Why is this a big question?
A belief that criminality is genetic could lead to practice of eugenics – selective breeding of humans.
Likewise a belief that behaviour is purely down to environment may lead to harsh regimes based on conditioning people.
See textbook pg 91!

8. FLIPPED BIT Inherited Criminality Watch the film and use worksheet to answer questions
Some Extras for you!

9. Questions Discuss answers from the programme
How important do you think ‘nature’ is?
How convincing was the evidence?
Have you ever bought a
pedigree pet? Have you noticed how
accurately they predict
characteristics like temperament,
preferences, reaction to other animals etc?

10. Lesson 2
Big Picture – How are genetic influences in criminality studied?
Learning Focus:-
To understand the term concordance rates
Describe evidence for genetic influences on criminality
From twin studies
From Gene Mapping
From Brain Imaging
Evaluate the evidence

11. Twin Studies
Identical twins (Monozygotic)share 100% genes so any difference between them should be 100% environmental
Non-identical (Dyzygotic) share 50% genes so differences between them should be 50% environmental and 50% genetic
If you tested the IQ of 100 pairs of twins and 62 pairs had the same IQ then you have a 62% concordance rate for IQ
OR you could also say you had a strong association between genes shared and IQ score – expressed as a correlation coefficient this would be 0.62
What would this suggest about how much the environment effects our IQ?
Demonstrate 25% , 50% and 100% concordance with your Lego

12. Twin studies With twin studies there are 2 methods
1.comparing Monozygotic twins with Dyzygotic twins Eg
MZ 0.86
DZ 0.46
What does this indicate? .
2.Comparing Monozygotic twins reared together with monozygotic twins reared apart
Together 0.86
Apart 0.74
What does this indicate?

13. Adoption studies
With adoption studies we tend to compare the adopted child with the biological mother and the adoptive mother to see which correlation coefficient is highest Eg
Child and adoptive mother 0.42
Child and biological mother 0.72

14. Evidence for genetic influences
Textbook pg 90
Draw a line down the centre of your notes. Make a list of these studies with a brief description on the left side leaving space for evaluation on the right side.
1. Raine 1993
2. Brunner et al 1993
3. Raine 2004
Extension – start considering the validity and reliability of this evidence

15. Evaluation Task Textbook pg 91
1. How can adoption studies support the claim about genes? See Crowe 1972
1. What factors may question the findings from twin and adoption studies?
2. How reliable is gene mapping? Is there a warrior gene that causes violent behaviour?
2. Read about Stephen Mobley – Is it right to claim you are not responsible for your crimes if you have a faulty gene? What is the issue with Deterministic explanations?
3. How might the environment play a role ?(see Diathesis Stress)
3. What might be the cause of brain differences observed by Raine 2004?

16. Extension Task Read the ‘Neurolaw’ article Question
What is the issue here with determinism?
What are the implications for society of understanding the exact ‘causes’ of criminal behaviour?

17. Keyword check Nature/nurture debate Twin Studies Monozygotic Dyzygotic
Concordance rates
Gene mapping
MAOA gene
Diathesis-Stress

18. Lesson 3
Big Picture – What role does the Amygdala play in how we react and behave?
Learning Focus:-
To understand the structure and function of the Amygdala
To describe evidence suggesting Amygdala malfunction is the cause of violent behaviour

19. FLIPPED BIT Starter
How much do you know about the structure of the brain?
Try labelling your diagram in your worksheet as best you can.
Textbook Page 92
Where is the Amygdala? What system is it a part of?

20. FLIPPED BIT The Structure and Function of the Amygdala See Pg 92
What is it made of?
Where is it located?
How many are there?
What other brain structures are they linked to?
Who first suggested the Amygdala was responsible for emotional behaviour?
Why is it important in determining aggressive behaviour?

22. Evidence of the link between the Amygdala and Aggression
Describe these studies briefly in your notes (Left side, leaving space on the right)
Coccaro et al 2007
Yu Gao et al 2010
Extension – Read about the cause of Psychopathy on pg 92. What are the implications of these findings? Can anything be done to change a malfunctioning amygdala? See Gesch et al 2002

23. Evaluation Task Textbook pg 93
How does Gospic et al (2011) support the amygdala explanation for ‘hot-blooded’ aggression?
Why does Pardini et al (2014) show predictive validity of the explanation?
What is a methodological issue with brain scanning as a technique? Does it show cause and effect?
How likely is it that the amygdala is the only brain structure affecting aggression?
How might the effect of the amygdala be indirect? What does this imply for modifying the behaviour?

24. Keyword Check Amygdala Amygdalae Medial Temporal Lobe Limbic System
Prefrontal Cortex
Orbitofrontal Cortex
FMRI
Psychopathy

25. Essay Plan Describe two biological explanations of criminal behaviour (10)
Intro Brief definition of criminal behaviour and outline assumptions of biological approach – e.g genes or brain structure are responsible therefore definite biological causes can be indentified.
One explanation suggests there may be genes which make people more aggressive. Outline twin studies – Raine and gene mapping – Brunner
A Grade -Briefly explain Diathesis-Stress and how environmental interacts with genes
A second explanation is from Neurocriminology, a growing field that shows a link to a brain structure called the amygdala. Outline briefly amygdala functions then outline evidence from Coccaro
A Grade - Explain how effect of Amygdala may be indirect e.g effect fearlessness

26. Alternative Essay Plan Analyse and evaluate two explanations of criminal behaviour (20)
Intro Brief definition of criminal behaviour and outline assumptions of biological approach – e.g genes or brain structure are responsible therefore definite biological causes can be indentified. Alternatively other explanations focus on inividual differences such as personality or cognitive factors.
One explanation suggests there may be genes which make people more aggressive. Outline twin studies – Raine and gene mapping – Brunner
A Grade -Briefly explain Diathesis-Stress and how environmental interacts with genes
Evaluate biological explanations
Analysis – What are the implications of biological explanations?
A second explanation is from Individual Differences approach such as how cognitive distortions can affect how we react.
Explain Hostile attribution bias and outline evidence from Schonenberg and Justye (2014)
Evaluate the cognitive explanation
Analysis – What does this explanation suggest about criminals? How might this behaviour be modified?
Conc – Which explanation has the most convincing evidence?