Neural explanations for criminality


	Neural explanations for criminality
	Advantages Research evidence. Raine studied 41 murderers who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Their brain activity was compared to an age and gender matched control group. They found reduced activity for the offender group in the prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum and there were abnormalities in the activity of the limbic system, including the amygdala. Furthermore, there is research evidence from the case of Charles Whitman that could be used to support the neural explanation, as after his killing spree, the autopsy revealed a tumour pressing on his amygdala, which was suggested to have contributed to his behaviour and emotion. Supports that these areas of the brain may be incorporated in criminal behaviour.	Disadvantages CA: This research is correlational and cannot display a cause and effect relationship. Brain abnormalities could be causing the criminal behaviour but it would also be possible that criminal behaviour may have led to a reduction in brain activity. Alternatively, various life experiences may have led to both a reduction in brain activity and criminal behaviour. Emphasizes complexity when establishing the cause of criminality and whether it could be attributed to either nature or nurture.
	Evaluation Last two evaluation are the same as the last strength and limitation of Genetic explanations evaluation.

Research evidence. Raine studied 41 murderers who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Their brain activity was compared to an age and gender matched control group. They found reduced activity for the offender group in the prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum and there were abnormalities in the activity of the limbic system, including the amygdala. Furthermore, there is research evidence from the case of Charles Whitman that could be used to support the neural explanation, as after his killing spree, the autopsy revealed a tumour pressing on his amygdala, which was suggested to have contributed to his behaviour and emotion. Supports that these areas of the brain may be incorporated in criminal behaviour.

CA: This research is correlational and cannot display a cause and effect relationship. Brain abnormalities could be causing the criminal behaviour but it would also be possible that criminal behaviour may have led to a reduction in brain activity. Alternatively, various life experiences may have led to both a reduction in brain activity and criminal behaviour. Emphasizes complexity when establishing the cause of criminality and whether it could be attributed to either nature or nurture.

Last two evaluation are the same as the last strength and limitation of Genetic explanations evaluation.

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