Introduction
The biological explanation of why people commit crimes has always been a topic of discussion among people. The investigation into individuals’ genetics, brain functions, mental health, hormones, and other human body elements has yielded different results, in many cases being influenced by the researcher’s biases or the lack of innovative research tools and methodologies (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). However, some studies demonstrate a link between brain activity, mental health, and the ability to experience or regulate certain emotions (Bertsch et al., 2020; DeAngelis, 2022).
The connections between a person’s health and emotional regulation are a part of the current scholarship. Therefore, it is also vital to consider this knowledge when developing ways of preventing crime. Acknowledging that abnormalities in brain functioning can lead to behavioral problems can inform the legal approaches to crime prevention. Still, these activities should remain vigilant not to resort to premature accusations.
Research Background
To discuss how knowledge about brain activity can impact crime policies, one has to consider the particular abnormalities discovered in scholarship. Ling et al. (2019) synthesize the research about brain abnormalities and their relation to crime and find that individuals prone to criminal or antisocial behavior have less brain activity related to executive functions. At the same time, these groups express more abnormalities in brain areas related to reward (Ling et al., 2019).
For example, some articles argue that the impairment in or the smaller size of the prefrontal cortex is connected to such issues as poor emotion regulation, attention retention, and impulse control (Ling et al., 2019). In turn, impaired decision-making processes may make a person more prone to committing crimes. These behavioral problems may also begin after trauma to the brain, such as a concussion or significant injury (Ling et al., 2019). However, the damage to the prefrontal cortex is not the only area of scholarly investigation.
Other parts of the brain that may be responsible for criminal behavior include the amygdala, striatum, and more. Studies find that abnormalities in the amygdala development, for example, may lead to a person being unable to develop fear responses, which may deter them from committing crimes (Ling et al., 2019). As an outcome, these individuals do not experience stress or recognize situations where acting against the law would endanger them.
Furthermore, the heightened or suppressed activity in this brain part may result in one’s increased impulsiveness or lack of empathy, respectively (Ling et al., 2019). In both cases, people become more prone to criminal activity. Finally, the research on the striatum includes the examination of how its increased activity is related to poor impulse control, the need for instant gratification, and the development of psychosis (Ling et al., 2019). Here, people may express antisocial behavior or make rash decisions. These findings support the connection between mental health, brain activity, and behavior.
Intervention Pathways
The examination of available knowledge demonstrates that brain activity may lead to the development of a personality at high risk of criminal activity. Thus, one can consider whether brain abnormalities can be treated and how to approach this question within the legal system while acknowledging ethical concerns. Currently, criminal offenders are routinely screened to check their mental health and determine whether their behavior can be interpreted as rational or influenced by other factors.
The decision to prosecute each incident may rely on the verdict of a mental health professional and other diagnostics. Brain functioning can be included in this process, potentially uncovering underlying problems a person cannot control. Furthermore, these findings can be used to propose treatments and interventions that solve the problem at its root, reducing the risk of reoffending and aiding in rehabilitation rather than prolonged incarceration or harsh punishments.
However, when considering these measures, one has to acknowledge the complex nature of human personality development and the existence of external factors that influence one’s upbringing and socioeconomic status. Alvarez and Bachman (2020) provide many theories of criminal behavior, highlighting the role of one’s financial stability, familial connections, support networks, and other elements that influence people’s lives. The development of the brain and one’s mental health are also interconnected, as a person may experience abnormalities due to how they interact with the outside world (Focquaert, 2019). Introducing programs and solutions focused on solving social and individual problems is essential.
Youth Mental Health and Development
Young individuals’ development and their criminal behavior risks are often assessed in school settings. When children and teenagers express antisocial or violent tendencies, their parents, guardians, or school officials may send them to screening to determine whether their behavior is pathological and poses a threat to their future (DeAngelis, 2022). At this stage, checking the brain function may have limited effects as the brain continues developing into one’s young adulthood (DeAngelis, 2022). Therefore, children’s and adolescents’ brain activity may change as they mature, and some issues can be resolved on their own or, in contrast, appear later in life.
Nevertheless, additional screening in combination with mental health tests can contribute to understanding one’s attitude and thinking and reveal potential issues. At this stage, an intervention, if abnormalities are discovered, can rely on mental health support, provision of opportunities, and social involvement (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). Integrating young people into a healthy community is essential, rather than exposing them to harsh punishments. Prevention and rehabilitation at this stage of life should have higher priority than incarceration or removal from social life.
At-Risk Individuals’ Mental Health and Assessment
The screening of adults with antisocial behaviors who have not committed a crime yet presents a challenging area for legal action, as it undermines the principle of innocence in criminal justice. The policy surrounding assessment should emphasize the ability of people to consent to such examinations and to keep the information private according to healthcare principles of information safety (Ling et al., 2019). If a person is offered screening and refuses, they can do so legally. The knowledge of a connection between brain activity and crime risks should not challenge this right to personal freedom.
Nonetheless, some cases of risks related to one’s mental illness may connect the sphere of healthcare to the legal sphere. For example, if a person is assessed and determined to pose a threat to themselves or other people, they may be detained in a mental health facility and be exposed to treatment against their consent (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). This area of healthcare is closely connected to the justice and legal systems, as it considers people who have not committed a crime to be potential perpetrators. Similar to interventions proposed for troubled youth, social connections and mental health support should be considered as the main pathways for reducing crime risks in these cases.
Offenders’ Mental Health and Rehabilitation
In cases where a person has committed a crime, the justice system’s goal is to prove the perpetrator’s ability for such actions and determine the proper punishment and rehabilitation. The knowledge that brain abnormalities affect people’s emotional regulation and impulse control is helpful here, as it shows that some people do not approach criminal activity with rational calculation and preparation. It is vital to assess the mental health of such individuals and infer whether they would like to participate in treatment.
The factor of one’s psychological well-being is connected to many theories explaining crime prevalence – social and economic factors often become the reason for mental illness, and one’s brain activity may have similar effects on people’s lives (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). Thus, rehabilitation and treatment can be a suitable way to prevent recidivism and protect society from violence. Ling et al. (2020) note that some differences in the performance of the prefrontal cortex and other brain areas can be treated with “non-invasive neural interventions such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial electric stimulation“ (p. 630). These tested procedures showed positive results for reducing aggressiveness and increasing empathy (Ling et al., 2020). Therefore, such therapy can be used to decrease criminal activity.
Conclusion
Many theories aim to explain why crimes occur in society. The biological and neural arguments explore the link between brain abnormalities and people’s capacity for emotion control. Research finds that some brain functions can affect one’s impulses, morals, and negative emotions. This knowledge can inform the legal system and lead to the development of a support network for people with brain differences to lead lives outside of crime. Violence-prone individuals can be assessed and treated if they consent to these procedures as an alternative or in addition to punishments. However, enforcing these tactics should not undermine people’s bodily autonomy or become a foundation for discrimination.
References
Alvarez, A., & Bachman, R. D. (2020). Violence: The enduring problem (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Bertsch, K., Florange, J., & Herpertz, S. C. (2020). Understanding brain mechanisms of reactive aggression. Current Psychiatry Reports, 22(12), 1-16. Web.
DeAngelis, T. (2022). Mental health and violence: Debunking myths, addressing realities. APA Monitor, 52(3), 31-36.
Focquaert, F. (2019). Neurobiology and crime: A neuro-ethical perspective. Journal of Criminal Justice, 65, 101533. Web.
Ling, S., Umbach, R., & Raine, A. (2019). Biological explanations of criminal behavior. Psychology, Crime & Law, 25(6), 626-640. Web.