Criminal Psychology
What does a Criminal Psychologist do?
Studies the motivations and background of violent criminals, treats them with methods such as therapy, and rehabilitates prisoners before and during parole.
_________ levels of testosterone can cause aggression
High
What does a Clinical Psychologist do?
Diagnoses patients with disorders and treats these disorders with various methods such as therapy.
How have animals been used in studies to develop treatments for aggression?
Lesioning certain parts of the brain, and electric stimulation in the brain of animals has shown that these treatments can change levels of aggression.
What is one issue with the idea of chemical castration of violent criminals?
This causes ethical issues
Name one theory that Criminal Psychologists use when considering the cause of Aggressive behaviour
Social Learning Theory
What is the MAO-A gene also known as?
The warrior gene
How can a psychologist use brain scans to look for biological causes of aggression?
By measuring brain activity in areas linked to aggression such as the prefrontal cortex
What did Mann et al (1990) do to prove the serotonin theory?
Mann et al (1990), manipulated levels of serotonin. They administered the drug dexfenfluramine known to deplete serotonin levels, to 35 healthy adults. They then used a questionnaire to assess hostility and aggression levels, and found these levels had increased after treatment with the drug.
Why is it reductionist to explain aggression only through biology?
It ignores social, cultural, environmental and other factors.
Name one study (and the associated psychologist) which proves that people learn behaviour by observing others.
Bandura's Bobo Doll Study
Name two parts of the brain that are linked to aggression
The amygdala and the frontal cortex
Name two ways that understanding biological causes of aggression help in preventing violent crime?
It allows for early interventions (education or therapy), medical treatment, and better rehabilitation support approaches for violent criminals.
Name the psychologist and the date.
They researched the Testosterone theory by measuring testosterone in the saliva of violent and non-violent criminals.
Dabbs et al (1987)
What is a significant weakness of the theory that Hormones cause aggression? Give an example.
It is difficult to prove if the hormone levels are causing aggression, or simply correlated.
For example, high levels of dopamine is linked to aggression, but the high level of dopamine is more likely to be a result of the aggressive behaviour, rather than the cause.
How can a criminal psychologist use the theory of SLT to reduce aggression?
Educating parents and families on behaviour and parenting skills, so they do not show aggression in front of their children. Support campaigns advertising awareness about domestic violence.
How does the MAO-A gene cause aggression?
MAO-A gene regulates MAO-A enzymes in the brain, that break down and lower the saturation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Name two specific treatments that a Clinical Psychologist might use to treat aggression, when using the biological theories.
A clinical psychologist finds the cause of aggression, and can recommend treatments for patients using medication such as SSRIs or Beta Blockers, or through surgery for extreme cases of brain issues.
Which psychologist electrically stimulated the amygdala? What was the result?
•Mark & Ervin (1970) – electrical stimulation of the amygdala resulted in facial grimacing, and the patient became very angry and flung herself at the wall.
What is a significant weakness of the genetics theory regarding aggression? You must use and explain specific terminology.
The theory is deterministic. Just because someone has the MAO-A gene, does not necessarily cause them to become a violent criminal. The MAO-A gene is simply an indicator rather than determining their behaviour.
It is also reductionist, as it ignores other factors. The gene also combines with environment to cause aggression, and does not act alone.
What laws do the New Zealand government have in place to combat exposure to aggression among children?
R16 and R18 ratings on media such as violent games and movies
Anti-smacking law
Why do SSRIs treat aggression?
Low levels of serotonin in the body can cause impulsive and aggressive behaviour. Using SSRIs increases the amount of serotonin available to the neurons, which then lessens the aggression.
What would the implications be for society, if Clinical Psychologists have training and knowledge of the different causes of aggression?
Better knowledge of the different causes means that psychologists will be able to quickly find the root cause of the aggression, and treat more effectively by using the correct method. This would result in lower levels of aggressive behaviour in society.
What did Moffatt et al find when studying people in New Zealand, and their link to violent crime?
There is a link between MAO-A gene and violent crime, however this link was only there when combined with traumatic experiences or abuse as children.
Name one way these theories could be used to benefit society in the future
Genetic testing and Hormone testing could be used to find those at risk of aggressive behaviour, and combined with early interventions such as education and therapy to reduce aggression in society.