Criminal behavior is defined as any form of antisocial behavior that is punishable by norms or law. Criminal behavior has been a critical area of focus among psychologists for many decades, particularly following the debate about the role of nature and nurture in influencing antisocial behavior. Studies conducted so far seeking to determine whether criminal behavior emanates from environmental factors of our genetic make-up demonstrate that criminal behavior results from both genes well as ecological factors. The studies are crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, especially with the existing evidence illustrating that the system accommodates individuals with psychological problems, who are regarded as criminal. Although helping such individuals may provide a solution to some individuals or societies, such a move creates additional problems for the society, since individuals with psychological problems need professional help and treatment rather than a correction in the criminal justice systems. Further, labeling individuals with psychological problems as criminals often create stigma among the affected individuals, which further prevents them from seeking help early, and as their conditions worsen, they start engaging in serious crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery among others. This paper examines the role that brain damage and dysfunction plays in influencing criminal behavior, mainly focusing on the ideas presented in the film, ‘ The Brain and Violence: Secrets of Your Mind.'
The Role of Brain Damage, Disturbances, and Abnormalities in Criminal Behavior
The film examines the question of whether some individuals are more prone to commit crimes compared to others and whether there is a part of the brain that is intimately connected to committing a crime by exploring the minds of psychopaths. The film mainly features wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed his family and eventually killed himself, as well as two essential case studies in psychopathology, Joel Rifkin and Lynn Sells (ABC News, 2018). From the film, doctors attribute Benoit’s behavior to the extensive brain damage that he suffered in the ring, which impaired his thinking, driving him to commit the murders. The film also reveals that similar findings have been established among football players, who, due to accidents during the game, experience concussions and eventually meet tragic deaths.
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Bo et al. (2013) postulate that a significant number of death row inmates, individuals with histories of violence, and forensic psychiatric inpatients demonstrate high cases of neuropsychiatric abnormalities. The findings present tangible evidence suggesting that brain impairments play a central role in influencing criminal conduct. Moreover, brain abnormalities, damage, or disturbances in brain chemistry pay a diverse role in influencing criminal behavior, including causing behavioral, emotional, and cognitive disabilities, which further hinder individuals from rational thinking, an element that significantly encourages them to indulge in crime ( Bo et al., 2013) . Further, the role of brain damage and abnormalities in influencing criminal behavior is evidenced through an analysis of such conditions as the Alzheimer's disease, which causes brain degeneration as well as events of drug-induced paranoia, sleepwalking, delirium or as a result of brain-damaging infections such as rabies Rummel (2017) . These neurological conditions cause disturbances in the brain structure and undermine the brain’s sophisticated thinking process. As a result, one’s brain is unable to censor antisocial acts and influences an individual to commit crimes since their brain cannot adequately distinguish between what is considered morally wrong or right.
Other Factors that Influence Criminal Behavior
According to Rummel (2017) brain dysfunction is not the sole reason that influences criminal behavior since genetic factors and the environment that one is brought up in also play a crucial role in shaping behavior. Biological theorists maintain that criminal behavior emanates from flaws that may be present in a person’s genetic make-up. Individuals may inherit some traits that often encourage criminal activity such as short temper or some brain disabilities or illnesses that may impair one's rational thinking ( Gur et al., 2016) . On the other hand, psychodynamic theorists support the idea that criminal behavior emanates from genetic factors in that they argue that the personality of the majority of criminals is id-dominated, a trait that is mainly inherited. An id-dominated character indicates that whenever a person loses control, they need instant gratification, an element that is synonymous with the id. The need for instant gratification heavily contributes towards criminal behavior since individuals lack the required patience to think rationally and consider the negative consequences that may be attached to the need to satisfy their needs instantly.
On the other hand, the environment in which one grows up plays a critical role in influencing the behavior that one adopts as they grow up. According to Rummel (2017) individuals who grow up in violent environments are highly likely to become violent in their adulthood. Children who experience violence often develop antisocial behaviors, which are primarily attributed to weak attachment with their parents, poor cognitive development, poor development of such crucial skills as proper problem-solving skills and practical communication skills among others. Similarly, individuals who grow in homes where adults abuse drugs are highly likely to adopt such behavior. Both violence and drug abuse are some of the major factors that encourage people to commit crimes. Therefore, although incidences of brain damage are primarily to blame for criminal behavior, genetic factors and the environment in which children are brought up in also play an essential role in influencing criminal behavior, and they should also be examined carefully while determining eh factors that motivate a person to commit a crime for appropriate action.
References
ABC News. (2018). Secrets of Your Mind: ABC NEWS NIGHTLINE 10/9c (720p). YouTube. Retrieved 10 February 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh-HvgTczr8
Bo, S., Forth, A., Kongerslev, M., Haahr, U. H., Pedersen, L., & Simonsen, E. (2013). Subtypes of aggression in patients with schizophrenia: The role of personality disorders. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health , 23 (2), 124-137.
Gur, R. C., Gur, O. M., Gur, A. E., & Gur, A. G. (2016). A Perspective on the Potential Role of Neuroscience in the Court. Fordham L. Rev. , 85 , 547.
Rummel, B. L. (2017). Head Injury and Aggression in Offender Populations (Doctoral dissertation, Grand Canyon University).
