The Criminal Mind

Researchers, as well as psychologists, sociologists, and criminologists, have devoted a great deal of time to the study of criminal behavior. Investigators are increasingly turning to brain research as a way to better understand the genetic origins of violence and aggression. For example, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique used to measure brain activity. Using fMRI, researchers can identify changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to certain stimuli. That is, they are able to identify which parts of the brain are involved in specific mental processes, such as fear and aggression.

One area of the brain that has been associated with criminality is the amygdala. As noted in your textbook, the amygdala is involved in a variety of emotional responses, including fear, anger, and disgust. Several recent studies highlight the role of the amygdala in aggressive and violent behavior. For instance, Pardini and colleagues (2013) found that young men with lower amygdala volumes were more likely to be aggressive and violent than men of the same age with average amygdala volumes. These young men were also more likely to show psychopathic traits, such as pathological lying, diminished empathy and remorse, and poor behavioral control. In another study, amygdala dysfunction in early childhood predicted criminality at age 23 (Gao et al., 2010). Specifically, toddlers who seemed resistant to fear conditioning were more likely to commit crimes in adulthood than toddlers who demonstrated a fearful response when presented with a loud, unpleasant tone. Because the amygdala is involved in fear, it appears that early deficits may predispose children to violent and aggressive behavior in adulthood.

Locate an online article or interview (there are a number of informative interviews on YouTube) that addresses brain/neurological differences in criminals versus noncriminals. Find an article or interview that focuses on an area other than the amygdala.

Question 1

wmYAD0+jIFyIz0PWN8EtYTTWR3jumHkSTAEZwO/oXD/j+sGMGvQYIo7Snvh1RxIB3sG2KcLoOXoj9K/e+HwAbcgn3ikIrrQN5qRRqlDduV4YLDDsEsu/+e8qKsvtGLOrHTiBPANzw4Qiawjo50v+MA==

Question 2

O8jxJxYdMsS8IioKo1F0sVYnnOffi5w2S4uoH68rWGhiMdnp4A9cvzQdnFxa1+4kJ9gXtAaUpUbt0BBuUF9/dcq3fbG9j7fLTZ4mzfmWDijNAA1y6aG//kDBAiNmW4h4LNnBgiz2PWeFGVUT4NZjVg==

Question 3

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
Assume that you were chosen as a juror in a trial for a man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend and her mother. The man is a former insurance salesman with a history of domestic violence. The defense team does not deny that their client committed the murders. However, they present evidence that the man experienced several concussions as a child and has irregularities in his amygdala. Would that information influence your view of the crime? That is, would you be willing to acquit the man due to the possibility that brain irregularities contributed to his violent behavior? Why or why not?

Question 4

9GpzjxwA3+wEZR070NmIrnQ2tcmOg8k+dolA833aJ330axiXDA4onCxyV43CzqJt/WdKdRRoGrPpNduOWgp9fkkKcMTAneI88AWN6FItfNd0vnYZR5NIo10xn4qtre51n3HzCussAp61qCyRnkcJikLAyEx9pXd6cr9KNd+hVbME2YIDxjVUWRODaoqVW3rqbA7gHfZSI2Q+DeosaKiKxrwJGXSYFTlWGPD07Uwuf/JH77Of5aVz3A8TJckz/zYUlA6RBWHyCxYR5vYb38tqwEradFSmGmX5j+FUn3eCXe5u7cB04cLP4AblMtXMfWOJYRfKG//cZsTJvWeveOO5TcxrE27/9n4m8EyguvWbc/ER88yhqUxW1HEXGsE=

Question 5

LbZoD03DGxipqWANSQ8X6oyxzXlALjD+igf0j99lxjR4BFWThzGZ+760qPTJL4a8+3byAdJW13nXtNsggVACs2gFQ5eu0i2hEjudT0Alq5ff814MfQkU4A1Emc3uOPR/hAHeL/mbpM1hloU9RitOWOWGBVGy2zfWVgvXH0TF4m8Kr6iKBjKNoSUQj8gFc3/BABwPaE6jbu5m0DEY9NEoTk7zTT/n4CY6p9t6M4906NjdF7c9/UlKasQ4hHJ9TzeYTtKX3xjwdLNDNUve5W9YXV1Huz0XE2ztb/z26gVB3Y/CY3KHtTkwPYQmjYuEKx9Xh1wKyen8ab+baafuxCCrtntRWA1d3TcCr91VvKRbMxkxtuZg5kzluc0b5wx8bDGQ2ULDGZpNDuJAC1CFRx6tguaudwzpd7AsWvk9CPneCGLP5jMKMjm11YouoI9/w0xCkZuA1hP4SavS+5UneGwrvDbyNdBckKUb

Question 6

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

Question 7

a3OjbF1+FLZJexZ40YvHdng/T9czYP7h23gX+5zp5+X6DisEmBg4kt4NRss5Dl5qSL7LDywM2qEChhJM6EDg3TyIvMPYtUXX0sUALwiifBqqPnhC7tO1rbjT2L91afZ+pc2bPkepNMwGowdGududj+TX7d5w+xH/ltEPilg220lQTY8hhzrNYQFhz1sPROoXN6idQU1MLemL0HdpHUUSTyKbWal6cC1U8wBzzn9MT8J9gAY/QUXSu4zcjYO6R5Z9lmCF63sc9lCnLv6MwxLDdg==
Research using animal studies suggests that destruction of the amygdala can reduce or disrupt behaviors that are associated with fear or rage.