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EnglandPsychologyQuick questions
Topic 6: Criminal psychology
Quick questions on Biological explanations of criminality: genes and the brain - Edexcel GCSE Psychology
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is frontal lobe?Show answer
The frontal lobe controls impulse control, planning and decision making. Differences or damage here (as seen in some case studies, linking to neurological damage) can make a person more impulsive and less able to control aggression, which may contribute to offending.
What is amygdala?Show answer
The amygdala processes emotions such as fear and aggression. Differences in amygdala activity or structure have been linked to violent and antisocial behaviour, for example a reduced fear response or poor emotional regulation.
What are strengths?Show answer
It has scientific support (twin, adoption and brain studies) and can explain why some violent behaviour seems impulsive and uncontrolled. It also suggests biological factors should be considered in assessment and treatment.
What are weaknesses?Show answer
It is reductionist (reducing complex crime to genes or brain parts) and deterministic (implying people cannot help offending), which raises issues about responsibility. Crucially, most people with these biological factors do not offend, so biology alone is not enough; learning and environment are also needed. The accepted view is a biosocial one, where biology and learning interact.
What is q1?Show answer
Which brain structure, linked to fear and aggression, is associated with violent behaviour? [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
What type of study suggests genes influence criminality? [1 mark]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain one weakness of the biological explanation of criminality. [2 marks]
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