BrainThe brains only weights 3 pounds but has
over 100 billion cells.
HUMAN BRAIN
The brain is divided into two hemispheres- the right and the left hemisphere.
RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN
Left Hemisphere- linear thinking mode
Right hemisphere-holistic thinking mode
RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERESRight Hemisphere
Organizes or groups information togetherRole in putting things togetherVisual activities MusicExpressing emotionsReading emotionsUnderstanding geometric properties
RIGHT AND LEFT HEMISPHERESLeft Hemisphere
Analyzes information collected by the right. Takes information from the right hemisphere
and applies language to it. Language skillsSkilled movementAnalytical time sequence processing
Parts of the BrainThe brain is divide
into three major sections
ForebrainMidbrainHindbrain
Parts of the BrainsForebrain-covers brains central core-higher thinking processes.
Midbrain- integrates sensory information and relays it upward
Hindbrain- rear base of the skull-basic processes of life
FOREBRAINForebrain-covers brain’s central core
Cerebral cortex (cerebrum) higher thinking processes
Thalamas-integrates sensory input
Hypothalamus- controls hunger, thirst, and sexual behavior as well as changes in temperature .
MIDBRAINMidbrain-integrates sensory information and relays in upward
Alerts brain to incoming signals
Involved in sleep and wake cycle
HINDBRAIN At rear base of skull-basic processes of lifeHelps control posture, balance and voluntary movements as well as breathing, heart rate and reflexes
What are lobes?Different regions into which the cerebral cortex is divided (cerebral cortex is in the forebrain)
Lobes of the brains
LOBES
Four types of lobesOccipital-visual signals are processed
Parietal-information from senses from all over the body
Temporal-hearing memory emotion and speaking
Frontal –organization, planning and creative thinking
CORPUS CALLOSUMThe function is to connect the left and right side of
brain (hemisphere).
The two hemispheres are physically separate and their only connection is through the corpus callosum, a thick white band of nerves deep within the brain.
It allows the two hemispheres to communicate and coordinate their activities.
The Nervous SystemConsists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
Biological theories of crimeGenetic vulnerabilities, neuropsychological
abnormalities, or biological irregularities that predispose a person to crime
Biological theories of crimeTwins:Monozygotic (identical) – share the exact same
genesDizygotic (fraternal) – no more alike than siblings
Twin studies: (Nature v. Nurture)Nature: tendencies of violent behavior,
aggression, personality traits, etcNurture: If raised apart, how alike are they in
terms of traits mentioned above? Are they different because of environment?
Biological theories of crimeGenetic and biological influences on crime:
1. Low MAO-A in combination with a history of maltreatmentMAO-A – an enzyme in the body that affects
neurotransmitters (people with borderline personality disorder and mental retardation were completely lacking this enzyme)
Could affect impulsivity and a chance of anti-social behavior (psychopath)
Biological theories of crimeNeuropsychological abnormalities:
Neuro (of the brain):
Slow brain wave patterns for instance can indicate under arousal – need for thrill seeking and will seek out violent crimes
Biological theories of crimeAutonomic nervous system (ANS) differences:
Heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, respiration (all of these effect emotional arousal)
Offenders have shown a lower level of autonomic arousal
Biological theories of crimePhysiological differences
1. high levels of testosterone – could lead to higher levels of aggression
2. increased secretion of insulin – sluggish/under aroused
3. lower levels of serotonin – less levels of the happy hormone
Biological theories of crimePersonality and temperament differences:Temperament – agitated, fussy, etcPersonality traits:
Under control or lack of controlUnfriendlinessIrritabilityLow empathyCallous emotionalityTendency to become easily frustrated
Central Nervous System
Made up of the brain and the spinal cordSends messages out to the peripheral nervous system and back to the brain
Central Nervous System
Brain is the crowning glory of the central nervous system.
Spinal cord- extension of the brain, runs down the center of the back ending at the waist.
Peripheral Nervous SystemSmaller branches of nerves that reach the other parts of your body from the spinal cord
Sends messages to the central nervous system and back
Peripheral Nervous SystemConsists of two parts
Somatic nervous system- part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary activity
Autonomic nervous system-part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary activities
Peripheral Nervous System
Somatic Nervous SystemControls voluntary activity Movement commands to muscles
Examples Include:BendingStretchingWalkingKicking
Autonomic Nervous SystemInvoluntary Movements
Examples include: heart rate
digestion blood pressure
blinking gas pupil contraction and dilation breathing
Nervous System and CriminalitySome criminals are thought to differ from
non-criminals in that they show chronically low levels of autonomic arousal and weaker physiological reactions to stimulation.
These could causeDifficulty learning how to inhibit behavior
likely to lead to punishmentHigh need for extra stimulation that they
gratify through aggressive thrill seeking.
Other vocabularyGene: molecular unit of heredity of a
living organism
Chromosome: an organized structure of DNA. Normally, humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (23 from mom and 23 from dad)