Criminal Psychology- Brain Injury Explanation

Created by: TaraCBeckworth
Created on: 14-12-16 13:39

What is the definition of criminal psychology?

The use of psychological knowledge to try explain why people carry out criminal and antisocial behaviour

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What is the biological explanation of criminal behaviour regarding brain injury

It explains that there is a relationship between brain injury and criminal behaviour and that if someone has a brain injury, they are more likely to be involved in criminal behaviour

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What could damage to the amygdala cause?

An increase in impulsive behaviors, irritability and aggression

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What did Williams et al (2010) find?

They researched 196 prisoners and found 60% had some form of brain injury, who of which were relatively younger on entry of the prison and more likely to be repeat offenders

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What did Williams et al (2010) conclude?

Brain injury affects development of temperament, temperance, social judgment and control impulses. The injury may also contribute to a greater level of anti-social activity

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Supporting evidence

Williams et al (2010)

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Challenging evidence

Kreutzer et al (1995) also investigated prisoners, however they did not see a trend and were unable to conclude a cause and effect relationship

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Other explanations

Social Psychology

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Usefulness

Useful scanning techniques have lead to more information on the nature side of criminal behaviour and can be used in court cases to explain why crimes have been committed

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Testability

The studies into this are correlational so there cant establish a cause and effect relationship. Also comorbid conditions should also be considered, for example substance missue, personality disorder, exposure to violence young, influencing results

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the biological explanation of criminal behaviour regarding brain injury

Back

It explains that there is a relationship between brain injury and criminal behaviour and that if someone has a brain injury, they are more likely to be involved in criminal behaviour

Card 3

Front

What could damage to the amygdala cause?

Back

Card 4

Front

What did Williams et al (2010) find?

Back

Card 5

Front

What did Williams et al (2010) conclude?

Back

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Criminal Psychology- Brain Injury Explanation