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Questions and Answers
What is a consequence of poverty on an individual's behavior?
What is a contributing factor to crime rates, according to social inequality theory?
How can family dynamics influence an individual's behavior?
What type of neighborhoods may foster an environment conducive to criminal activity?
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What is a potential consequence of mental health issues on an individual's behavior?
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How can poverty contribute to crime rates?
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What can be a result of social inequality, leading to crime?
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How can environmental factors influence an individual's behavior?
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What percentage of variation in aggressive behavior is attributed to genetic factors?
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Which gene regulates serotonin levels, influencing aggression?
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Which brain region is involved in moral decision-making and empathy?
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What hormone is linked to increased aggression and dominance behavior?
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What is the term for the process by which individuals increase the reproductive success of relatives?
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Which evolutionary concept suggests that human behavior is influenced by evolutionary pressures?
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What type of crime can be explained by evolutionary psychology as a means to eliminate competitors and increase reproductive success?
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Which neurotransmitter system is involved in impulse control and aggression?
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Study Notes
Poverty and Crime
- Poverty is a significant predictor of crime rates, with higher poverty rates correlating with higher crime rates
- Lack of economic opportunities and resources can lead to criminal behavior as a means of survival
- Poverty can also lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair, increasing the likelihood of criminal activity
Social Inequality and Crime
- Social inequality, including racial and ethnic disparities, can contribute to crime rates
- Groups experiencing discrimination and marginalization may be more likely to engage in criminal behavior
- Social inequality can also lead to a lack of opportunities and resources, increasing the likelihood of criminal activity
Family Dynamics and Crime
- Family dynamics, including parental neglect and abuse, can contribute to criminal behavior
- Children who experience trauma and abuse are more likely to engage in criminal activity
- Family dynamics can also influence an individual's moral development and sense of empathy, affecting their likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior
Environmental Factors and Crime
- Environmental factors, including neighborhood characteristics, can contribute to crime rates
- Disorganized and disadvantaged neighborhoods with high levels of poverty and unemployment may foster an environment conducive to criminal activity
- Environmental factors can also include exposure to violence and criminal behavior, increasing the likelihood of an individual engaging in similar behavior
Mental Health and Crime
- Mental health issues, including personality disorders and psychopathy, can contribute to criminal behavior
- Individuals with mental health issues may be more likely to engage in impulsive and violent behavior
- Mental health issues can also increase an individual's vulnerability to criminal influence and exploitation
Poverty and Crime
- Poverty is a strong predictor of crime rates, with a 10% increase in poverty rates corresponding to a 4-6% increase in crime rates
- Economic deprivation and lack of resources can drive individuals to criminal behavior as a means of survival
- Prolonged poverty can lead to feelings of hopelessness, despair, and desperation, increasing the likelihood of criminal activity
Social Inequality and Crime
- Racial and ethnic disparities in socioeconomic status contribute to higher crime rates among marginalized groups
- Discrimination and marginalization can lead to criminal behavior as a means of coping with feelings of frustration and hopelessness
- Social inequality limits access to opportunities and resources, increasing the likelihood of criminal activity
Family Dynamics and Crime
- Parental neglect and abuse can increase the likelihood of children engaging in criminal behavior
- Trauma and abuse in childhood can disrupt moral development, leading to increased criminal activity
- Family dynamics influence an individual's sense of empathy and moral development, affecting their likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior
Environmental Factors and Crime
- Disorganized and disadvantaged neighborhoods with high poverty and unemployment rates foster an environment conducive to criminal activity
- Exposure to violence and criminal behavior in the environment increases the likelihood of an individual engaging in similar behavior
- Neighborhood characteristics, such as abandoned buildings and lack of community resources, contribute to higher crime rates
Mental Health and Crime
- Personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder, increase the likelihood of criminal behavior
- Psychopathy is a strong predictor of criminal behavior, particularly violent crime
- Mental health issues increase an individual's vulnerability to criminal influence and exploitation
Genetics and Aggression
- 50-60% of aggressive behavior variation is attributed to genetic factors
- MAOA gene regulates serotonin levels, influencing aggression
- COMT gene is involved in dopamine regulation, linked to aggression and impulsivity
- Genetic predisposition interacts with environmental factors to increase aggression
Brain Structure and Behavior
- Prefrontal cortex regulates impulse control, decision-making, and empathy
- Amygdala processes emotions, including fear and aggression
- Ventromedial prefrontal cortex is involved in moral decision-making and empathy
- Reduced gray matter in the prefrontal cortex contributes to criminal behavior
- Hyperactivity in the amygdala contributes to criminal behavior
- Abnormalities in neurotransmitter systems, such as dopamine and serotonin, contribute to criminal behavior
Hormonal Influences on Behavior
- Testosterone regulates aggression and dominance behavior
- Cortisol regulates stress response and influences aggression
- Serotonin regulates mood and impulse control
- Elevated testosterone levels are linked to increased aggression and dominance
- Low serotonin levels are linked to impulsivity and aggression
Evolutionary Psychology and Crime
- Adaptation: traits that increase survival and reproductive success
- Inclusive fitness: increasing reproductive success of relatives
- Mating strategy: strategies to increase reproductive success
- Rape can be seen as an adaptation to increase reproductive success
- Murder can be seen as a means to eliminate competitors and increase reproductive success
- Property crime can be seen as a means to acquire resources and increase reproductive success
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Description
Explore the relationship between poverty, social inequality, and crime rates, including the impact of economic opportunities and social disparities on criminal behavior.
